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fRPOx Library
^
i\
■^
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS ;
BT SUSANNA ROWSON,
IRECEPTRESS OF THE LADIES* ACADEMY^ ^JBff^Oy, MASS.
AUTHOB OF
C& ARLOTTE, INQUISITOR, REUBEN a^d
itACHEL, &c. &c.
Ki<»if ii^9<ii^fria
•' I MTTST REMAIN ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL MY FAULTS,
AND SUBMIT, WITHOUT SUBTERFUGE, TO THE CENSURES OF
CRITICISM, WHICH I SHALL NOT HOWEVER ENDEAVOUR TO
SOFTEN BY A FORMAL DEPRECATION."
** THE SUPPLICATIONS OF AN AUTHOR NEVER YET R«-
PRISVEd HIM A MOMENT FROM OBLIVION."
yOHNSQlTi RAMBLEF.
PHINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, BY GILBERT KVji LEAX^
STATE-STREET, SOLD BY THEM,
AND BY W, P. AND L. ELAKEy CORNBILL,
2?05r02r,— 1804,
c
StJBSCHIBERS' NAMES.
M.
LRS. Lucy Abbot, HaUowelL
- Mehitable Acres, Bvookline.
.. Hannah Andrews, Ipswich.
Miss Henrietta M. Anthony, Newburyport
;; Elizabeth Atherton, Amherst, N. H.
Mr. E. W. Allen, Newburyport. •
.. James T. Austin, Cambri^, 2 copies.
.. Samuel Abbot,* Boston, 3 copies.
.. JchsK S. Abbot, Salem.
Mrs. Josiah Bradlee,
Boston.
.. Mary Baker,
Ipswich*
.. Lydia Bishop,
Medfbrd.
Miss L. Bingham.
Boston.
•. Sally Barker,.
Charlestown*
..£ Rebecca BoyUton,
Brookline.
•• Mary Binney,
Watertown.
•• Mary Brown,
Newburyport,
,. Hannah Barttett
d«.
., Sarah B. Burgess,
Woboum, 3 copies.
.. Mary Bamum,
Taunton.
.. Eliza Buffington,
Salem.
.. AnnBethune,!
Watertown.
Mr. Merrill Butler,
Newburyport.
.. Abner Bartlett,
Woboum,
.. William S. Brooks,
, Medfbrd.
.. John Brooks, jun.^
do.
„ Horace Binney,
Philadelphia.
,. Robert Brookhouse, Salem.
Capt Isaac Brooks,
Medford.
t
IV
1
Mrs. Cliarles Baring,
JifXRa Lydia Bond,
., Betsy Baley,
.. Sarah T. Brazer,
Benjamin Bussey, Esq.
Shubael BeU, Esq.
Benjamin Bourne, Esq.
Mr. Joseph Balestie,
.. Caleb Butler,
.. Isaac Biglow,
.• Ebenezer Bracket,
Charleston, S. C.
Watertown,
Boston.
Groton,
Boston.
do.
do.
do.
Groton.
Newton.
Ncedham Falls.
5 copies.
Boston.
Wiscassett.
Orange.
St. Stephens, New Brunswick.
Ipswich.
Mrs. Cotting,
Miss Mary Carleton,
Abigail Chapin,
Nancy Christy,
.. Sarah Cogsw^ell,
.. Mehitable Chandler, Andover.
.. Lydia Combs, Newburjrport.
.. Sarah Curtis, Newton.
.. Anna Maria Games, Boston.
Lydia Coolidge, Boston.
Mr. Samuel Clark,^ Cambridge.
.. Joseph Cogswell, Ipswich.
.. J. Coboum, • Boston.
.. Samuel Clark, Newton.
., T. Gushing, Cambridge.
., Joseph Cutler, jun. Newbur}'port.
,. Joseph Cooper, do,
.. Apollos Gushman, Taunton.
.. William S. Games, Salem.
„ Kneeland Carrier, Needham Falls.
.. Matthew Gary, Philadelphia, 10 copie«
Mrs. William Davis, Boston.
Miss Maria ball, Boston.
.. Ann Duncan, Concord.
R€v. Simeon Doggett,
Bfn. Anna Dana,
.. Thomas Dean>
Miss Maiy Davis,
.. Mary Ann Davis,
Mr. George Dean,
.. Aaron Davis,
.. Samuel Dana^
Miss Sarah Eaton,
Mr. Ephraim Elles,
Taunton.
Amhenty If. H«
B<>8ton.
Boston*
do.
Salem*
Newburyport.
Graton»
Dedham.
Needham Falls.
i^.
Miss Lydia French, Canton.
.. Sally Fisher, do.
.. Sally Fitch, New ^aven,
.. Susannah Farley, Ipswich.
.. Susan Farley, do.
.. Harriet Fowle, Watertown.
*' Maria Fowle, do.
Mr. Samuel Foster, Boston.
•. Jabez Farley, Ipswich.
.. Josei^ Francis, Boston,
•. Farley, Charlestown.
Mrs. W. H. Gibbs,
^^ Mary Gray,
«. Samuel Gilbert,
Miss Jemima Giles,
.. Hannah Goddard,
.. EU2a Gibbs,
Mn Joseph Gardner,
.. Lemuel P. Grosvenor, do.
.. Davids. Greenough, jun. Cambridge.
.. Wm Gamage, jun. do.
Miss Rebecca Hastings, Newton, 3 copies.
Col. David Humpfireys, Boston, 3 copies,
a2
Charleston, S. Carolina,
Boston.
do.
Newburyport.
BrookJine.
Charleston, S. C.
Boston.
c
Tl
3
Mrs. Hannah Hale, Boston.
' .. Hyslop, Brookline,
.. Haswell, Charlestown.
Miss Caroline Hutchings, Boston.
.. Elizabeth Hodgkins, do.
.. Eliza Heard, Ipswich.
.. Abigail Hodgkins, do.
.. Hannah Heath, Brookline.
.. Mary Aeard, Woburn.
John Heard, jun. Esq. Boston.
Maj. Gen. Wm Hull, Newton.
Rev. Jonathan Homer, do.
Maj. Charles Hunt, Boston.
Dr. Sam'l Hemenway, Salem.
Mr. Herman Holmes, Roxbuiy.
.. David Hyslop, Brookline,
.. Charles Hastings, Newton.
.. John Harrington, Weston.
.. John Howe, Boston.
„ Washington Hovey, Newbur3^rt.
.. Edward Horsman, Boston.
2 copies.
Mrs. Lydia Ingals,
The Miss Inches^.
Mrs. Betsey Jenkins,
Miss Sarah Johnson,
«. B. S. Jackson,
,. Frances Johnson,
• . . Caroline Jackson ,
.. Rebecca B. Jones,
Mr. Charles Jackson,
.. Ephraim Jackson,
Boston,
do.
2 copies.
Newburyport.
do.
Newton.
Utica, N. York.
Little Cambridge.
Charlestown,
Needham Falls.
Newton.
Miss Eunice Kenny,
Mr. Samuel Kidder,
Canton.
Charlestown.
L ▼" J
Mrs. Martha Kendall, Ipswiclu
Miss Mary Kendall, do.
.« Anna Kenrick, Newton.
Mrs. Mary Le Bosquet, Medford.
Miss Linzee, Boston, 2 copies.
•• Elizabeth Loving^, do.
.. Harriet Livermore, do.
. . Sarah Lang*, Salem.
Messrs. B. &J. Loring, Boston. 6 copies.
Mr. Conway Lane, do.
.. Luther Laurence, Groton.
Miss Jane Means,
Amherst.
•. Jane Melvill,
Boston.
.. Sarah Manning,
Ipswich,
.. Pricilla Manning,
do.
.. Eliza M'Kean,
Boston.
Israel Munroe, Esq.
do.
Mr. Joseph A. Marshall, Groton.
Mr. Isaac Nftdham,
Salem,
.. John Naphe,
iTeedham Falls.
Miss Mary Oakman,
Wobum.
Mr. Billings Otis,
Mrs. Eliza Peivce,
Boston.
Salem.
.. Elizabeth Peirce
do.
Miss Sarah H. Padleford, Taunton. 2 copies
.. Melinda Padelford,
do. do.
.. Elizabeth Procter,
Salem.
.. Parker,
Boston.
Mary Ann Perkins,
do.
Mr Edward Proctor, jun. Boston.
.. John Pickens, jun.
do.
.. Charles Parkman,
Westborough.
«• John H. Payne,
Boston.
MiM Eliza Price, Hofilniigtoiu
.. Lydla Page, Charkstowflu
.. Susan Price, Jamaica.
.. Eliza Faricer, Boston.
Robert T. Paiae, jun. Esq. Boaton. 5 copie».
Charles Paine, Esq. do.
Mr. Henry Paine, do.
.. John Perry, do.
.. Benjamin Plasted, Needham Falls.
.. John Peircej Broddine.
.. Pike, Newbuxyport.
Ann Quincy,
Boston.
Bfrs. Elizabeth Rogers/
Ipswich.
.. James Robinson, jun.
. Lynn.
.. Samuel Richardson,
Boston
.. Sarah Rice,
Taunton.
.. Hannah Reed,
QO.
Miss Fanny Ruggles,
Boston.
.. Abigail Ransford,
do.
,. Martha Robbins,
Watertown.
.. Susan B. Richardson,
, BosUm.
Luther Richardson, Esq.
do.
Mr. Enoch H. Rust,
Wiscasaet.
Mrs. Rebecca Sprague,
Boston. 4 copies.
.. Hannah Spring,
Watertown.
.. Lupy Stuart,
Medford.
Miss Margaret S. Spring,
Newburyport.
.. Sarah Smith,
do.
.. Rebecca Sweet,
do.
.. Sarah Stocker,
do.
.. Dolly Stickney,
do.
.. Abigail Stone,
Watertown.
Mr. Daniel Swan,
Medford.
Samuel Swan, jun. Esq.
d». 2 copies.
Un. Lydia Smith,
•. Nancy Sproat,
Taunton.
.. Steams,
Watcrtown.
Miss Mary Smith
Chariestowm
Messrs. Stone & Brewer,
Salem.
Mr. Leverett Saltonstall,
do.
.. William Stocker,
Boston.
.. Samuel Sprague, jun.
do.
.. George W. Steams,
Brookline.
,. Ropert Small,
Newton.
.. Luther Smith,
Needham Fallf .
.. James Sprague,
Boston.
Thomas O. Selfridge, Esq.
do.
Maj. Joseph Swasey,
Ipswich.
Mrs. Z. C. Tilden,
Boston.
Miss Sarah Thompson,
do.
.. Peggy Tufts,
Newton.
.. Sarah Thompson,
Newburyport.
Mr- Tench Tilghman,
Cambridge.
. . Gustavu* Tuckerman,
.. Benjamiff Thompson, j
Boston.
jun. do.
William Thurston, Esq.
do.
Miss Hannah Vincent, Dorchester.
.. Sarah Elliot Vaughan, Portland.
Mrs. Wiggm,
Boston.
Miss Margaret Whall,
do.
.. Elizabeth B. Willis,
Haverhill, M.
.. Sally Wheclock,
Westborough,
.. Eliza Wildes,
Kennebunk.
.. Eliza West,
Salem.
..- Harriot Ward,
Shrewsbury.
,. Hannah Whittemore,
Cambridge.
.. Ann White,
Brookline.
.. Sarah S. Winchester,
do.
c
MiM Siuan White» Mewbuiypore.
.. Susan Wyman, Salem.
.. Mary S. Warner, Taunton*
Mr. Philip Wentworth, Boston.
.. Alexander Wentworth, do.
.. Jeremiah Wheelwright, Newburyport»
.. John M. Williams, Taunton.
« .. EInathan Walker, do.
.. Elbridge Ware, Newton, 2coiu^f«
», Aaron WilUard, Roxbury.
.. J. Waters, jun. Boston.
... Isaac Waters, do.
Messrs. WikLer & Fletcher, do. ^ 6 copieff.
Wells 8^ Webb, do. 6 copies.
■}.''.-^%r
^ EKRATA.
Higt SUe-^Mt line baf one» for tauK reftd t/AtUi.
7— 2Gth— 3d line from the bottom, for thorn, read tibi'tr.
ad Une from do. tor brightent, read brigk$€ifit>
-— 38th— 6th line, for JSn</, read ^m/.
— 40th— 7th line, for durit, read ^«/^. "
iM 83d— Ist line, for viaMU ^^ "o^ert.
— 90th— 4th line from bottom, fbr Ina, read ^V/.
*- 93d— 6th line from do. for cheeJt, read sweet.
— 120th— l8t line, for felU, rcs^/aiUf and for feiteringt refti
— > 135th— 3d line from bottom, for E'en, read E*er,
— 147th— Ist Uile, for beateous, read beauteous*
— 150th— 3d line, for nymps, read nymphs,
'mm 175th — 5th line, for granryt read graiCry.
mm. 176th— 2d line, for ^a£^ retud grateful.
— 189th— 1st line^ for cloud, read c/ou<&.
— 192d«-l8t line, for At noon I delighted to range c^er the soil,
read. At noon I delighted range o'er the rick wU*
—• 197th— 5th line, fbr do, read doth. '
— 205th— 2d line, for ^rtue, read glory,
— 2mii-'7thUn«i fwjfftvmifigi r^ /faming.
'<<:'
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.
THE BIRTH OF GIlNlUS.
]N EAR where chaste Diak holds her court,
When with pale crescent she is seen,
' Ltading i3a» elres and fidries gaf
To mimic revel, sport, and play,
Across the dew4)espahgled green ;
B
i
C u 3
Where Sol attir*d in purple vest,
His fiery coursers sunk to rest.
For ease and pleasure would resort.;
£i a retreat) where Nature^ as in play»
Had shed her choicest stcn-es.;
'Where bloomed the sacred laurel, and the bay.
And wheresoever the raviah'd eye could strayi
Were ever blooming flowera n
Bedde a spring, who^ clear translucent ware
0*er variegated pebbles softly crept,
0*er Ivfiich the lovelorn wiUow wept,
Deep in a coral rock^ was fbrm*d a cave.
There Nature still in sportive mood
Had decked the grot with spar% and gems, and ore ;
The flanung ruby there was seen,
The nu>dest amethyst's unchanging Uue,
Pure rocks of diamond, the emernJU green ;
t »* 1
And tho* the hand that deck'd it thus was rude.
The more 'twas gaz'd upon it pleasM the more,
Forever yarious and forever new.
Of njrmphsy and hamadryads, the &v*rtte haunt.
But chiefly of Anuria ; oft would she, .
£re Phoxbus 'gan his heams to dart aslant.
Forsake the "sportive sylvan throng,
Neglect the dance, forget ^e Bong,
And hither come to weep, from observation free«
Lovely A2urxa, young and fltir,
Adom'd with every grace.
Was Juno in her shaipe and air, • y'
And VxNus took peculiar care
- To decorate her face.
Her 8^ surpassed the lily^s hue ;
Her auburn tresses light fimtastic pla/d.
Loose floating in the air ;
Some fell> her beauteoiis nedk to shadci
And by the contrast £drer made -
Her bosom, partly bare ;
' Thro* silken curtains sweetly stole
An eye-beam> that could melt the so\]l|
From c^yes celestial bluc«
Too oft the nymph ha4 fiought the fihade |.
For Phoebus, when from day retir*^
Beheld her oftf aiMl oft admired.
• At length his heav*hly lyre he stnpg ;
As o*er th* obedient strings his fingers move,
He sung Azuria's charms, and Phoebus* love ;
Sweet strains of everlasting love he sui^.
The listening nymph believed, and was betrayed.
^ And now pale Envy from her loathsome cell, ■
Where she sat brooding; miachief, and where dwell
lM[alicious Satyr, Slander double tongued.
And all the honid retinue of hell.
Came forth ; the Spectre with malignant joy
Breath'd on the nymph her pestilential breath,
And flashed vindictiTe lightnings from her eye ;
As thus she spoke :
Vain thoughtless fool, forbear,
Nor thmk that he who has dbpoil'd thy charms,
Will e'er again entreat thee to his armsy
Or make thee more his care.
No, e'en the infiint thou art doom'd to bear,
He cannot guard from harms.
"Whither -soe'er the urchin flies,
Thither I'll gor:
And those who shall his favour court,
Or his gay visits prize.
Nor joy nor peace shall know.
In vjdn he'H bid fresh laurels rise,
To grace his votary's brow ;
B 2
Where'er the fafttefiil tree voBy gro^r
ril send a whirlwind through the skies^
To blast it ere its l^ares expand.
Nor deW) nor show^, shall fill its cup ;
M7 'chilling breadi, mf wfdi'Hng handr
ShaU dry itsmcHsture mj^
Pale stood tfaenytnph ; her tearfiif ejes she raised
To* where> just sinking in Ids oozey bed
Proebus withdrew his piercing Ught,
And veiled his rays from mortal flighty
In many a gorgeous purple fold,
Edg'd round with crimson^ mix'd with gold.
Oh power, she cried, by all ador^i and praised,
Whither I ah whither I is thy influence fled,
That this malignant fiend dares rear her head,
And with unhallowed threats attempt to blight
Thy offspring's fame; and on his name
Her ^leful poison shed ?
1 r» 1
Trembling she spc^ and shnink from the dark glance
Shot from the grinmng Fury'a half do^M eye,
While in the Harpy^s traiB, she saw advance
FoLLT, in robes of ¥aariegated die,
Pointing the finger, loHing out the tcmgue,
Jingling her bells, presuming^ bold, and itide j^
And Ignorance, wkh vacant «tare,
Laughing at mhat tik never understood.
AppallM, aghast, frtftn her late glowing cheek
The crimson tide receding -wholly fled.
Vainly her pallid lips essayed to speak ; •
The silkei^ fringe dropp'd o'er her langvdd eyet^
Her snowy breast rec€iv*d her drooping head.
That breast which laboured with convulsive sigh*
She tinted, fell; the dark and yawning earth
ReceivM, ^d o'er her threw Oblivion's v^iL
[ 20 ]
FoLLT was silent. At departed worth
Envy must cease to sneer, and Pride to rail.
But ere she sought eternal mght,
A bbommg Cherub saw the light ;
And from the turf that pillow'd her i^r head.
Every €ower that's sweet or gay,
And psdnts the varied robe of May,
Up sprang, to decorate her offspring's bed^
Myrtle, with the musk-rose twin'd,
Scatter'd round his pillow lay,
FormM a wreath his brows to bind^
Mingled with the sacred bay.
Pendent from o'er arching boughs
Woodbines waft their sweet perfume;
The amaranth's ne'er &ding bloom,
With rich unchanging purple glows.
, On the green-sward scatter'd round ,
Simple violets were found ;
Vilet, sweetest flower that blows,
Tho* not so gaudy as the rose,
Tou sweeter arc.
I »1 1
The humble lily of the vaJcy
Like modest worth ib»t shuoji the Ugjbl»
In verdant folds retirM from sight,
I£d her pure virg^ Uossoms &ir and frail^
Fragrant as fidr.
The boy was l0?clf ; JD hit fenot md ftce
Sh<me forth has moithei^ beaK^, end her fsraoe.
His eye could ecstacy inspire^
Beaming the radiance of his sire^
Emitting sparks of pure empyrean fire.
On his head gay FancyH wings,
▲s round she flew, were leftbehind her ;
And vrh&i in air the urchin springs.
Leading him on you'll always find her>
Weaving wreaths which, as ^e ffies„
Catch bright etherial dies ;
Tet tho' he has her wings, be cant o*Sertake or hind her.
[ » I
Water-nymphs, from pearly cayes,
Strings of shells, and coral, brought^
LavM him in their chrystal waves,
Wrapped him in a web they'd wrought
Of lovers. Wrecked on distant coast.
Of constant nymphs, thdr names entombing
Deep in their hearts ; of heroes lost,
Lost for their country, and who bought}
By death, immortal wreaths, forever bk>oming.
The sacred Nine, from their celestial bowers,
Descended at the heavenly cherub's birth ;
E'en rapid Time check'd in their flight the hour%
To welcome him to earth*
Aqd in return the sp(»live child,
Tho' charm'd to make the dotard stay,
When he was tedious, sweetly smil'd,
Or tun'd some strain, so soft, so wild,
As hurried lum away.
I 3^ 3
TlasUng firom the burning east,
Ushered in ynih smiles and tearSf
In safiron robe, and rubjr vest,
Radiant Phoebus now appears.
On his fierce coursers' necks he threw the reinsy
And, Go^ he cried ; on this auspidoiis mom
Range at your pleasure through yon azure plains^
Fcnr on the earth, a brighter planet rdgns ;
GENIUS, my first, my darling son, is bonu
Around lus brows etherial fire,
Flam'd at the God's commandf
Anew he strung his golden lyre,
And plac'd it in lus hand.
He sung of love ; to glory rais'd-the strain :
Love trembled at the heart ; but martial fire
Rush'd thro' each throbtnng Teia>
f
C a* I.
Mars and Minerva both wkk jof
Resigned their spear jobkL shkU;.
Apollo cried, Immortal boy
^Tis thou alone canst widd
The warlike weapm with effect^
Or in affam ^ state direct.
But thou wilt fiodf cUJd of mj fcndest love)
Tho^ Ignorance and Folly are thy bane^
Yet to whatever clime thou shalt remove^
Those harpies still will fiiUoWinthy train ;
And Envy, too, with thonga shall arm the whip
Which Satyr throws aiound with cunning art^
Aiming at ev^ry inadvertent slip
A lash, to lacerate tiiy bleeding heart
But heed them nott for &y superior worth
On eagle's wings shall rise ;
And whilst they grovel cm the earthy
Thou shalt ascend the skiet.
When Fancy wings her airy round,
Keep Tirtiie always near ;
On her thy wildest flights have found
A rest unchecked by fear.
^ few words beside 1 and, my son, ever mind them,
Love talent and merit, wherever your find them.
To no sex, to no station, no climate confinM, .
They ever will reign uncontroul'd in the mind.
Or set talents aside, if true merit is foimd,
Where the heart is untainted, and principles sound ;
In whatever state you may safely approve it.
And whate*er.its sex, you as safely may love it.
For wherever wtue and sense may combine.
They will silence the pasuons, repress and refine
Each grosser emo^m till power is given,
To bear the strong syiftpathy even to heaven.
So pure the attachment^ so fervent the love,
It may confident hope ccprtttimation above,
c
£ '3* i.
Ma&s and Minerva both wA joff
Re«gn*d their spear and slueld;.
Apollo cried, Immortal boy
Tis thou alone canst wield
The warlike weapon with effecl.
Or in affairs oC atate <!brect.
But thou wik find, child of mf fopdest kive^
Tho^ Ignorance and Folly are thy bane^
Yet to whatever clime thou shalt remove^
Those harpies still will firiSo^ in Ihy train;
And £n vT, too, with thonga afaall arm the whip
Wldch Sattr throws aixnind withu um iii%art»
Ainung at ev'ry inadvertent slip
A lash, to lacerate thy bkedii^ heart.
But heed them not, fiir thy tuperior wottk
On eagle's wii^ shall rise ;
And whilst they grovel on the earthy
Thou ahalt ascend the skies.
>.
When Fancy wings her airy round)
Keep Tirtiie always near ;
On her thy wildest flights have found
A rest unchecked by fear;
^ few words beside 1 and, my son, ever mind them,
Love talent and merit, wherever your find them.
To no sex, to no sta;don, no climate confuiM,
They ever will reign uncontroulM in the mind.
Or set talents aside, if tme merit is foimd,
Where the heart is untainted, and principles sound ;
In whatever state you may safely approve it.
And whate*er.its sex, you as safely may love it.
For wherever idrtue and sense may combine,
They will silence the pasuons, repress and refine
Each grosser emo^m till power is given,
To bear the strong syiftpathy even to heaven.
So pure the attachment^ so fervent the love,
It may confident hope cc^iilUDmation above>
C <6 3
Where each thoughtstands reveal'd a&it first was coiifei?'^
And Malice shall blush at the tales sh^ b^Uev'd.
tie spoke, and swift ascencHng*
Cut th* etherial way ;
While doudS) with lightning blendingt
Shot a pale doubtful ray ;
Genius beheld him rise
And eager would pursue,
But clouds enwrap'd the skies,
And shut him from his view.
Low on the earth bending, his hands raised in air,
To his parent ascending, h^ ofier'd this prayer.
Oh thou, who from ch|u>tick night
Shotst the first morning ray,
Who dartest intellectual Ught
And brightiens mental day,
Thy beams to me, dread Sire, impait)
Elate my soul, dilate my heart ;
And when thou comest bring with thee
Sweet sacred Sensibility.
And on thy pinions sporting light,
Or rapt by her in soft delight.
Still, gracious Power, let me find
A pure, a self approving mind.
The dark clouds parted, and a beam of light.
Almost too powerful for mortal sight.
Broke on the prostrate child ;
And soft was heard a dulcet voice,
Enqvure, Is Virtue then thy choice ?
lie bow'd his head and smil'd.
Then go, she cried, inspired by me.
Launch on ambition's stormy fiea, ;
t 21 ]
Or boldly for thy country's good,
Stem Faction's rude and boiling floods
Then vainly Envy may oppose,
Kising superior to thy foes,
Thy hallow'd name can never die.
*Tis sacred to eternity.
ODE
TO SENSmiLITY.
fg^jMLy Sensibility ! thou aSfigel dear,
Who breath'st the sigh or drop'st the silent tear
At other's grief ; '*♦.
Who guid'st the generous liberal hand,
To give relief.
Without thee, say, what had we beai ?
UnSeeling brutes, who scarce deserve the name of men.
Come, fill my heart, and let it overflow,
Exult in other's joys— or bleed at other's woe.
See yon poor wretch with hunger starv*d,
Eager he eyes his precious grain of food ;
c2
t
C 30 1
What, tho* tis tainted, mouldy, dry or hardr n^
His &mish'd appetite still thinks it good.
There was: a pang shot through my very heart ;.
At thy command, my ready hand
Of my small portion hastes to give a part,
While from my eye th* unbidden tear will startj^^.
That such keen mis'ry should affict manldnd.
Yet as I gently grieve,
^ bless the hour. Benignant Pow'r,
ave the means those sorrows to relieve*
How can the stoic think it bliss
To know no joy, to feel no woe j
Mine is a happier state than his>
Who both these passions know»
Whose pulse can beat to joy's light measure^
And dance the revel round of pleasure ;
Or drop th' excruciating tear
€'er sacred friendship's baUoVd bier.
[ SI ]
Sweet SEUpBiLiTY be mine,
I
And rd not change my lowly cot.
Queen of the eastern world to shine>
And share the proudest monarch's lot^
What if thou hast a thousand darts ?
I will not once repine.
Oh, might I be allowed to share
The raptures which thy smile imparts !
Empty thy quiver without fear,
Wring from my tortur'd heart its every tear, ' »•
If tlunly scattered here and there
Thy sweetest joys are miner
I
t
ODE,
ON TffE BIRtH DAY CF
JOHN ADAMSy Est^uiMB^
J>R£§ID£NT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AlfeERICA,
W^HEN great Alcides, Jov£?s httmortal son,
Attain'd the dawn of manhood, life's spring tide,
Rushing impetuous through his agile frame,
Light bade his spirits dance, whilst health and joy
Crimscm'd his cheek and revel'd in his eye ;
And yet restraint the youth had never known.
When Virtue from celestial abodes,
Where she had dwelt associate with the gods ;
C S3 1
In robes ofttpre simplicity array'dy
(For Virtue is so heavenly fiur,
So sofl her features, chaste her air^
She needs no borrowed aid,)
To this terraqueous globe came doWtiy
To try and prove the heart she wish'd to make her own ;-
Then Vice, deceitful, was by Follt drest,
And Pleasure's fascinating mask she wore ;
Loose flow'd her hsdr, unclasp'd her vest,
And the capricious wanton stood confest*
In her left hand a golden cup she lx)re>
Whilst with her right the clustering grape she prest,
Which from the swollen brim ran laughing o'er.
At the same moment both approached the youth;
And each in turns solicited his love.
Virtue in modest accents, grac'd by truths
Told .him> she knew the way to &me ;
t ^4 3 ^
If he with her would climb the rugged stedff
And gain by warlike deeds a deathless name^
And with hard toil immortal laurels reap.
« Seek,** she cried, **the path to glory,
^ Pain and dangei* fly before ye |
^ Haste, Alcidbs, nor delay,
* ^ Virtue, honour points the wayi
^ Haste and joys celestial prove.'*
But Vice, in gay fi^tasdc ineas\ire>
• Lightly bounding o*er the earth, '
Cried, " Follow me to joy and pleasure^
^ Come to amaranthine bowers,
^ Deck*d with never &ding flowers ;
" Where the cheek of beauty glows,
Where the sparkling nectar flows ;
^^ <f Where you may dance, and aing, and play^
" And love, and laugh, your life away,
^ 'Tis aU indeed that life Is worth.*'
The you^ %y<c^9 ^ Ipok coiitemptxioi^,]u,irl'd j
WntM^pg a stifsdy oak to servj^ a» »pttar,
Cried, << Virtue, Til fioHor th^ throqghout the ivorU,
<< Where thou shalt lead:tl^cre is no caute for. &ar*
^ Tho' lightnings gteaip along ^^skyf.
^ Tho' thundem awefid roU^
<* The God of virtue a^ i^ nigh ;
^ Tho' earthquakes shake th' al&iglUed spheres;^
** Tho' pestilence with horrid glare^
^ Stalk round our bed, infect the air ;
^ To Thee^ great; power, thfs humble soul,
^ Can lift with confidence the suppliant eye,
^ And thou canst hush their fears.
^ Virtue, I follow thee ; 'tis thou alon^
« Canst point the way to heayen ;
« And to the God i)f virtue stilly
<< What'^ betide, what'er is donei
« Whether my futum ^t» be good or ill,
« To him be glory given."
f
[ 3« ] .
Vice heard, appall'd, and from her &ce obicene,
Dropped the seductive mask ; her shape and ntoi
'Of late so &scmating, sheVd to be
Itself— a lump of foul deformity.
Pale was her cheek, dejected was her eye,
Except when memory of past misdeeds,
Wak'd her to feeling and insanity ;
Then would it dash such fearfiill glances roimd,
That Virtue pausing gaz'd in pity on her ;
Dropp*dabenignanttear,^sh*dshe could heal eachwound^
And o*# her throw a veil to save her from <UshoDor.
^ Blest was the choice he made,'* I eager cried,
As rapt I lay ; the volume by my side,
And mus*d on what I had read. It was the hour
« When church yards yawn,** and fiancy has the power»
To raise incongruous phantoms to our view.
And almost make us think her airy visions true.
" But where in these degenerate ages,
^^ Can we a mortal find»
t » 1
lake this retofdod by the Mges ;
Whoy when vice tempts and pastton ragesj
With an unshaken mindy
Will boldly quit ^^out a sigh,
Pleasure's enamerd meads ;
To mount the path, rugged and highy
Where TOtue pcnnts, and honour leads ?
-<* Peace,'* cried a twee, << ungrateful mortal, pcace.**^
I raised my eyes,aid»oa stood beside me;&
Fair as the tints of opening day,
Her eye was chaste as Dian's ray,
Her smile so soft, I knew no e^ could betide me.
A cseitus bound her lordly waist,
^ On wluch was INDEPENDENCE graven;
Bare were her arms, or only brac'd
By drclets, where these words I traeU :
Wk TRxrsT IN UNITY aw HEAVEN,
In her right hand she held a speaT)
And fix)m her left an iron chsdn depended^
By which, more bound by guilt and servile fear,
Hung,lawless Anarchy and Shame,
Am BiTioN, who usurped a patriots name,
End Envy slyly seeking to de&me
The WARRIOR, by whose arm, her children were defended.
** And who art thou, bright yisiop ?" I enquired ;
" My name," she smiling cried, " is Liberty ;'*
« Oh nymph, by all beloved, by all desired,
" And art thou come,*' I cried, ^ to dwell with me ?"
'< No," said the goddess, " I am come to chide/*
" Why dost thou wonder at Alcides* worth ?
« Columbia boasts, and she may boast with pride,
" An equal hero's birth.
« The mom which dapples in the east,
« And makes all nature gay*
« Speaks what should be by all exprest ;
^' Let every Sue in smiles be drest,
^^For 'tis Jus natal day.
[ 39 ]
* Alcides mighty feats has done,
^ Wonders perform'd and conquests won ;
^ But Adams, greater far than he,
" Took rigid honour for his guide ;
^ Stem truth and virtue on his side ;
•' And soaring on superior worth,
« Trod base detraction to the earth 5
<* Firm to her cause,
« Enforced the laws,
« That made his country free.
^ Then rise, and tune the vocal lay,
^ Invoke the Muse's sdd ;
^ Small is the tribute thou canst pay^
« Yet be that tribute paid,
* And thousands in that tribute will bear part,
« For all conspire to raise the festive lay,
« And as they joyful hail his natal day,
^ Pour forth the offerings of a grateful heart."
THUNDERSTORM.
W HEN the black clouds in curling coluxnns risei
Aiid darken o'er the cheerful face of day ;
When the wing'd tribe to seek for shelter flies,
And lomng herds forget to feed or play :
How dark how threat'ning now appears die cloud ;
See the forked lightning flashing all around ;
Hark now it burst in thunder hoarse and loud,
While mortals tremble at the awful sound.
See where the lightning rends the sturdy oak>
Around the wood the shattered atoms fly i
The sav^e herd astonished at the stroke,
Quick to their dens for shelter hie;
The boding raven e*en forgets to croak,
And nature seems in silent agoi^.
t *1 ]
Now the poor wretch with guilt and fear oppress'd,
Gladly would fly the awful threafning scene ;
CQs misspent Mfe now rankles in his breast,
Horror without, and guilt and fear yritlun.
And while he Tiews his guilty pleasures past»
He thinks perhaps this moment is his last^
Yet howim^nfiing, how voiflt to go>
To g^ve account of time abus'd below.
While he who knows no guilt, can feel no fear.
Calmly he thinks, if doom'd to yield his breath,
The hand of him who made him still is near,
To guide him through the icy vale of death.
His spotless soul no sign of terror shows ;
If Jiatnre shudders, 'tis because he knows
'Tis natureis Ckxl that does the tempest form,
Speaks in the whirlwind, rides upon the storm.
at
£ 42 ]
At his command the thunders roll,
At hia comanand the Ughtmngt fljr
From shore to shore, from pole to pdlei
And every human art defy.
The strongest tower, touched by his poweri
Will into crumbling ruins fiUli
Whehning its owners, 'neath its ponderovs wall*
Thou glorious, great, Omnipotent, to thee
Our comfort^ peace, and even life we owe;
May we with grateful hearts, and bended knee^
Here dedicate our future lives to thee^
Whose mercies like a fimntun ever flaw.
Make us, great God, to love thee as we ought ;
Oh let that love, through ev*ry action shine ;
Oh let us not offend thee even in thought,
Or dare to irritate thy wrath divine.
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C *3 3
Make us to place such confidence in thee»
That though thy thunders shook the tott'ring world f
Though round us flaming elements we see^
And naoire seems to swift destruction hurlM ;
We may^ tho' tf exxMng at the awfij sight,
To thee our souls in grateful praises give ;
Whose hand can waft us to that place of light)
Where nonf e'er db^ but «B fimver Bre.
EU^GT
TO THE MEHOHT OF
GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esquiu.
WhEBE the Patomacy with majestic wave}
Washes the borders of Virginia's shore ;
Once the retreat of him most wise most brare^
Our sainted hero ! now^ alasj no more ;— «
Oft has my fency took delight to stray,
Pensive, beneath the high cliff's cn^gy ude ;
List to the dashing of the foaming spray,
Or undulating murmurs of the tide.
There rapt, entranc'd, each anxi&us thought, each care»
And each corporeal sense "sroold dormant lay ;
While visions, ever bright and ever fair,
In sury forms would round my temples play.
Keen winter's chilling blast is never felt»
While beatific scenes the fimcy throng ;
The heart in Zembla's frozen clime will melty
When Faitct lead^ the {etter'd soul along.
She comes ! she comes I a stream of lights
Bursts on my aching wondering sight,
And a celestial band^appears ;
Some bearing wreaths, with cypress twin*d»
Others with measured step and slow,
Drest in the sad habiliments of woe,
Whose brows funereal honours bind,
And others«lingermg fiff bdund,
[ 46 ]
With Teils that flutter in the windi
Conceal the mournful face^ and dry the gushing tears«
First came the social Arts. A numerous band
Of little beings starting into life,
Followed, and rais'd the supplicating hand :
" Where is our kind protector, guardian, fnend;
<< Where is the man, who bade the arts increase ;
" Who spoke, and hushed a janing world to peace ;
" Whose frbwn repel'd the fiends, whobreddomestic strife;
** Where is he now ?** a deep convulsive sigh
Answer*d— »^< The Hero's in eternity."
Next came Bellona on a flaming car,
Hoarse thunders echoed from each chariot wheel.
Her right hand held a torch which blaz'd a&r.
And scattered desolation throi^ flie ur t
A ponderous javelin of buniiah*dbp|)ecl
Her left sustained i her btock dkbtif^M hair
£ 4r ]
StreamM wildly in the whirlwind^ while her bare
And callous breast was scar'd with many a wound ;
Her garments stained -mih floods of human gore,
Which, as she pass'd, drench*d the polluted ground.
Thousands of warriors follow'd close behind ;
The brazen trump, shrill fife, and hollow drum,
Their martial clangour mingled with the wind ;
Engines of death their horrid thunders poured,
And Death himself, amidst the legion, rode
Triumphant, callmg <* Come, ye warriors, come,
«* Follow yon pow*r so courted, so adored }
^ I lead ye on, 'tis I, prepare the road ;
« Come then, nor once regret the world you leave behind.'*
Wisdom approach'ci ; in her benignant eye,
Whose vivid sapphire emulates the sky,
A tear was seen to start
Across her brewt a f^ iotrf she wore.
Which partly hlkjrp iUdi| her spear no more
Was held erect ; mcSfiitig to the .earth,
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It spoke the lofls of some superior worthy
Sad emblem of the pangs wUch tent her heart.
And thus the Goddess spoke : ^ Yon lawless bandy
^ Who rush impetuous o'er a bleedmg kndy
<< Steeping the widow's couch with tears,
*^ Filling the mother's breast mth fearsy
M Can be restrain'd ; and like th' impetuous waves
^ Within due bounds c<mfin'd ; '
^ Be taught to spurn the name of slaves ;
<< Exert a free, an independent mind,
^ Yet martial ardour go with wisdom hand in hand.
<< There was a man who has this wonder done ;
*^ A man l my much lamented darling son !
* Columbia's guardian genius-^WASHiNOTON !"
She spoke, and o'er her face her ma);itle spread,
Nor blush'd to weep— 'fiir Washiitgton is dead.
Sweet PoEST came next, and tiioiigfa a sigh
Burst from her throbbing breast^ her frenaed eye
I ^ 1
Was upward fix'd, and beam'd intelligence
Of visions that entranced her every sense ;
She paus'd; then eager tuned her dulcet lyre.
And ^ Grant," she cried, ^ God of eternal day I
Oh grant one beam of thy celestial fire,
Bright as the worth that does my song inspire,
So worthy be my lay.
Heroes have liv'd in days of old,
Magnanimous, intrepid, bold ;
Men, who undaunted have at all times stood,
And seal'd their country's safety with their blood.
And others, in the Senate, wise as great,
Reformed the constitution of the state ;
Sacrificed peace of mind, property, health.
Counting their riches by their country 's wealth ;
Tum*d from the paths with fame or h(»K)ur strew'd,
Died poor and wretched fixr the public good.
E
[ 50 ]
These Heroes' deeds are told in eyer]r tongut,
And ancient poets gain'd immortal Smity
Because they have their godlike actions sung, '
And on the same bir pag4 enroU'd their name.
But all these mighty chie& of days of old|
In wisdom^ or in worth, were known to &il|
And vice steps in, when e*er their story's told,
With legends that will make the cheek turn pale.
Homer, to sing the chie& of Greece was thine ;
Let the blue concave with thy praises ring^
I envy notr- a nobler theme is mine ;
'Tis of the matchless Washivoton I sing.
While Plenty decks Columbia's plains,
Where'er the voice of Fame is heard^
While love of Liberty remains,
Washington's name s^l be rever'd.
With deathless laurels were his temples bound ;
Through his whole life no blemish could be found ;
From stem integrity he never swerv'd ;
He honoured openly the God he scrv*d ;
To us who mourn he has example given^
And made more bright the path which leads to heaven.'^
#
She pausM, she ceasM ; her magic lyre, unstrung,
Across her shoulders pensively she hung ;
While music wild, enthusiastic, fair,
Breath'd a pathetic soul-enchanting air,
In strains the Hero had not blush'd to hear,
Ushered and ended by a grate&l tear.
[ «J» 3
Sculpture and Painting, wrapt jui silent grief,
Held the resemblance of the sainted chief;
The following muses bore a marble urn,
Sacred to him whose loss e'en millions mourn.
But now three virgins greet my eyes,
By whom each sorrow is subdu'd ;
The first bright favorite of the skies
Was Gratitude.
Peace, her benignant olive branch displayed.
While Commerce pour'd her golden treasures round ;
When Gratitude, pure, unaffected maid,
Spoke, and the world was silent at the sound.
For even savages, untaught and rude,
Will listen to the voice of Gratituds,
t SS 1
^ Lamenting mortals, eeaae this usekss grief,
^ Nor longer mourn the great, the godlike Chief;
^ *Let this reflection dry a nation^s tears,
" He <Ked as ripe in glory as in years ;
** And tho the loss of Washington is great,
^ Adams remains to guide the helm of state ;
^ And would you prove the hero's memory dear,
^ Learn his last parting precepts to revere.
<< My friends, my CeUow-dtizens, said He,
^ Be still unanimous, be great and free ;
" For know, a state may soon be rendered weak
« By foreign jGurtion or by private pique ;
^ Let not corruption e'er your judgment blind ;
^ Preserve with care an independent mind ;
* The foUowaog sixteen lines were quoted &om tlus Poem in
manuscript, by Dr. Bartlstt, of Charleito'vm, in his Oration on
fte death of Washingtoit. '
2 S
E «4 1
« Support, revere the laws ; believe me, friends,
<< Your all on unanimity depends.
^ By &ction, all would be to chaos hurl'd ;
* Be but united, and defy the world."
As thus she spoke, a sweetly solemn strain
Stole on the ear, and from th' extended plain
This chorus rose : << Columluans, see
The man who made you great and free^
Translated to his native sky ;
Of mortal excellence he reached the height,
And dying, left a £eime so pure, so bright,
It never can be sullied, never die.'*
And, at one wide extended sight,
Th* unbounded universe could sec ; -
Where should I find Thee ? Still above,
Bright clouds thy majesty enshrine,
Emitting rays of joy and love,
Of joys eternal, love divine.
Where should I find thee ? need I ask ?
Is there a shrub, a plant, a flower,
But makes its daily, hourly task.
To speak thy presence, and thy power ?
E*en now, when silence reigns around,
E'en in this solenm hour of night.
Thy voice is heard ; and thou art found
* In all thy works, revealed to sight
i
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Oh ! could I now ascend, and stand
Upon the zenith of the globe,
And mark how round on either hand
The heavens enwrap it IS^e a robe !
How orbs of pure empyrean Hght
Around the wondrous system roll ;
Revolving seasons, day and mght,
Visit each land from pole to pole !
View the vast stores of hail and snow,
The regiea o£ the axr contains ;
Trace whence the genial breezes Uow,
Or whence descend refreshing rains I
Could I ascend the orb of light,
That great} that vrondrous type of Thee,
\.,. ■'
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jlnd, at one wide extended sight,
Th' unbounded universe could sec ;
Where should I find Thee ? Still above,
Bright clouds thy majesty enshrine,
Emitting rays of joy and love,
Of joys etemal> love divine.
Where should I find thee ? need I ask ?
Is there a shrub, a plant, a flower,
But makes its daily, hourly task,
To speak thy presence, and thy power i
E*en now, when silence reigns around,
E'en in this solemn hour of night.
Thy voice is heard ; and thou art found
^"^ In all thy works, revealed to sight
; ji
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And where, in sober weeds array'd^
Eagle-ey'd Contempladon uts.
Let her my soaring spirit bear
To the etherial realms aboye^
To mix with kindred spirits there^
And join their strains of peace and loYe.
There, friendship, which on earth was pure,
Shall be with double force renew'd ;
There, from malignant fiends secure)
'Twill be no cnme to love the good^
Few are the moments I can spare,
Mild Solitude, to pass with thee ;
Yet few and scanty as they are.
How dear those tuoments are to me !
Now mght her ixwkf ^friagluui qHmii
And half tlie wofid i!i wrapped ill deep s
StiQ as the mansions of the deady
E*en mis'ry's self forgets to weep.
This hour *s ny owD>l need not lear
Thou wilt my ttecret soul betray t
Thy sombre veil conceals the tear.
Which dreads the glaring eye of day.
To thee, my tortor'd soul can own
Its findts, and sue to be Sofrgi^n i
Kneeling before the awful throne
Of the all-irighteous God of heaVn.
God! great as good! andwiseasjusl!
To thee each secret Mndii reyeil'd j
TThou art my hope, in thee I trusty
From thee my heart is not conceal'd*
Oh, shed on my perturbed breast
Thy peace I and grant) forgot by all}
When death shall wrap my soul in rest^
Obliyion's shade mfiy o'er me &11,
CONJECTURE-
Released from its prison of clay.
Where shall the freed soul find its rest ?
Will it soar to the regions of day,
With spirits inunortal and blest ?
Will it hasten through vast fields of air^
On some distant planet to dwell ?
Or to the drear mannons repair,
Of angels who murmured and fell ?
While the body shall modder in earthy
Ah ! iMrhere shall the spirit reside^
Tin the archangel summcm it forth,
At the last awful bar to be tried ?
PerhapS) when releasM from aU woe^
The body from earth is removed,
The soiil may still linger below,
Round those it vm^ ttti&sAf kvect
Perhaps, in reward for its truth,
Kind Heaven may grant it the power
The mind's bitter anginsh to aooth^
To soften a£Biction's sad hour.
Perhaps, as a punishment due
For wilful, repeated nuadecdsi
^is condemned ev'ry moment to vieir
The nus'ry which surely succeeds ;
See tiie heart, which its crimes €aii^4 to Ueed^
Still wrung with incorabk grief s
C « 1
Ilq)ent) when too late to recede ;
Feel remorse without hope of reUef.
Oh ! might I one prayer prefer,
And that pray'r be not impious deem'd ;
May my spirit, when fr^, have the care .
Of those I in life moat esteem'd i
In health, hover over their head,
And each threaten'd evil restrain ;
In sickness, to watch round their bed.
And mitigate every pain ;
In the agonized moment of death,
Oh I then to my charge be it given.
To comfort with hope, watch the last fleeting breath,
Catch, and bear tlie lovM spirit to heaven.
F 2 * •
STORMY EVENING.
1 HE skies a sombre shade assomei^
While the chill iiorth«eaitei|i%reeBe
Serves to heighten ev'iuDg's f^oraa,
HowHng through the leafless trees.
Nature wears her robe of white ;
Vesper glimmers in the west f
Not one gem has sable night
To grace her brow^ o^c]asp her rest.
Hark ! the tempest^ k)ud descending,
Beats against the brittle pane ;
In its drifting torrents blendii^
Fleecf snow; and drenching rain.
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Now, ta ta^ (VlMOL and «ipMr%
Bid the fire cheeffiilUMe ;
Bring your book ; and let the tapers
Shed around thdr friendly rays.
Ope the volumei torn tlie pagsa^
Read, and mu8e> and tkat by tana^
How ambition lawless rages,
How the patriot's bosom bums.
Learn from Miltoit, bard itafit%
How, e'en angels could rebd ;
From Homer, how, by Grecians fir'd,
IHum's lofty towers fell.
Now the trav'lkrj&int and weary,
Often sighing at he goes,
C ^ 1
O'er heaths, through forests, dark and drearyv
Beats against the dnfting snows*
Ears, and cheeks, and fingers dngle,
Tortur'd by the piercing frost ;
Scarce he hears his sleigh beUs jingle^
Now alas I the track is lost*
Numbing cold each sehse invading,
Checks his pulse, and seals his eyes ;
No kind hand the suff *rer aiding,
Buried in the drift, he dies.
Fancy ! wluther art thou leading ?
Stay ! the scen6*s too painful grown ;
I see those friends whose hearts are bleedings
When the travller's fate is known.
By HiM) who has the storm tUrected,
May each traveller, doom'd to roam>
Be through this drear night inrotected)
And conducted safely home«
Then^ no more the storm regretting,
Fond deUght his soul inspire ;
Wind, and snoWy and cold forgetting^
ChatUng round the social fire.
u.
MARIA.
KOT A FICTION'.
Daughters of vainty, attend ;
Ye sons of riot, hear
The lovely, lost Maria's end,
And drop a silent tear.
List to the solemn passing belE^
On the dead silence fall,
In awful notes that seem to teHi
This is the end of all.
If ARIA once was young and gay^
In beauty's bloom and pride ;
t n 1
Sweet as the fragrant breath of Maj>
And innocent beside.
Her form was Csiultless, and her xnind>
Untainted yet by art^
Was noble, just, humane and kind.
And virtue warm'd her heart.
But ah, the cruel spoiler came,
Admir'd her charms and youth :
He feign'd to feel loveV pow'rfiil flame,
And voVd eternal truth.
Free from disguise herself, she thought
fter lover as sincere ; , • ' )w
To hide her tenderness ne'er tought, ' V'
But told it without fear.
f « i
She said sbe lofv^d, one &tal hour ;
The villain, pleased to find
The lovely creature in his power^
Poisoned her artless mind.
He talk'd of bonds bjrMturemade^
The dearest of allties^
The heedless g^rl, by love betrayed,
Believ'd his specious lies.
Her honour g^oe^ fedtttV to «liaBe>
He leaves the ruin'd ftir :
Unmanly boaster-4)lasts her &xnei
And laughs at her despair.
Her fiither heajfd the horrid tale ;
Anger inflaxn'd his breast ;
1 73 5
Repliant prayH« would nought aiiail ;
All nature was sui^fCBa'd.
In vain with tears she bath'd lus feet^
And vow'd to err no more :
He ssdd her home should be the street.
And thrust her from his door.
Her sex her miseries insult ;
Contempt she meets from all ;
Some boast their virtue^ and exult
In poor Maria's M.
Wretched} forsaken^ and undone ;
No friend to take her party
To teach her future crimes to shuUf
^ Or sooth her aching heart i
G
[ ^4 1
Atfirstyoh! horrible to name !
She's infamous for bread)
Till) lost to every sense of sbame^
She meets it mthout 4rcad.
Awhfle in Folly's giddy maae^
Thoughtless, her time she qiends }
YHiile pleasure seems to wait her days.
And joy each step attends.
But \ice soon robb'd her lovely fecc
Of all its wonted bloom,
While black remorse and pale disease
Her tender frame consume.
That bloom she now supplies by art,
'And cheerfiilness she feigns i
C 75
But still her lacerated heart
Feels agonizing pains.
Cold blew the wind ; descending snow
Clad nature all in white ;
Maria, now the child of woe,
Brav*d the tempestuous night
Pasting her vile betrayer^s door.
The sight past scenes recalls :
^ith tears her languid eyes run o*er ;
Low on the ground she Ms.
<« And must these steps,^ she weeping cried,
<« Support my aching head ?
Oh ! would to HeaT'n that I had died,
Ere innocence was fled.
t 76 3
And thou, fidse man, whose spedous lies
My easy heart did gain ;
Come, see the lost Maria dies,
Through &mine, grief and pain*
Oh come, and take my patting i^,
And hear me tow to Hearen,
As I for^ve thee, so may I,
Hereafter be forgiven.
But oh, my father ! nature sure
Might plead within thy breast ;
Why didst thou thrust me from thy door ?
Why leave me when ^stress'd ?
Hadst thou but pardonM my first fault,
Hadst thou but been my friend,
t w 1
I*d ne'er through grief and shame been brought^
To this untimdy end.
Or had some gen'rous woman stroTe^
A Men wretch to raise^
I now, with gratitude and love>
Had liv'd to speak her praise.*'*
A poor man passing, heard her moum^
But little was his store ;
He thought, to share it, in retiira
Just Heav'n would give him more.
He gently rsds'd her on her feet,
And led her to his home ;
A poor straw bed, and matted seat.
Were all that grac'd the room.
G 2
t w 1
Some nulk with hand humane he broughti
And cheered the dying fidr ;
With pious pray'rs to sooth her sought^
And chac'd away despw.
Bless ! bless him, HeaT^i ! fisr what be*s dotte i
For I've no power, she cried :
The accent £dter'd on her tongue ;
She grasp'd his hand, and died.
i^FFECTION.
ToUCIPD by the magic hand of those we love,
A tp&t win of coi^equence appear ;
A flow V9 a blade of grass, a pin, a glove,
A scrap of paper will bec6me nxOst dear.
And is that being happy, whose cold heart
Feels not, nor comprehends this sour^6 of joy ?
To whom a trifle can no bliss impart,
Who throw Aem careless by, defiice, destroy ?
Yes, they are happy ; if the insensate rocks
Which the rade ocean beats, or sofUy laves.
Rejoice that are mov'd not by th€ shocks.
Which hurl fidl many to untimely graves.
C so 1
Tes, they are happy ; if the polish'd gemi
On which the sun in varied colours plajrsy
Rejoices that its lustre comes from him.
And glows delighted to reflect his rays.
Not else.— Though hearts so exqubitely fiarm*df
Fed misery a thousand Afferent way^ ;
Tet when by love or friendship's power warm*dy
One looky whole days of misery repays.
One look, one word, one kind endearing smile.
Can from the mind each painful image blot :
The voice we love to hear can psun beguile.
Listening the world beside is all forgot.
Tho' sharp the pang wluch fnendship slighted gives,
J Tho* to the eye a tearonay force its way :
I 81 ]
The cause remoT'd when hope again revives,
Light beats the heart, and cheerful smiles the da^.
True, when we're forc'd to part from those we love,
lis like tiie pang when soul and body's riven ;
But when we meet, the spirit soars above,
And tastes the e:itqiuute detights of heaven.
Mine be the feelii^ heart: for who would feKT
To pass the dreary vale of death's abode,
If certain, at the end, they should be.neafr
And feel the waaki of a betdgnant God i
TO TIME.
Old TiME^thou'rt a sluggard ; how long dost thoa stay;
Say, where are the wings^ with which poets adorn thee I
Sure 'twas some happy being, who ne'er was away
From the friend he most loy'd, and Who wish'd to haye
shorn thee)
First drew thee with pinions ; for had he e'er known
A long separation^ so slow dost thou move,
He'dhave pictured thee lame,and with fettersbound down ;
So tedious is absence to friendship and lore.
I. am sure thou'rta cheat, for I often have woo'd thet
To tany, when blest iidththe friend of my heart :
But you vanish'd mih speed, tho' I eager piu^ued thee^
. Entreating tiiee not m such haste to depart
I
[ W 3
Then,wretch,thou wast deaf, nor wouldst hear my petiti<»i,
But borrowed the wings of a sparrow or dove ;
And now, when I m&h thee to take thy dismission
TiU those hours shaU return) thou refiisest to moye.
%
.*
TO A MOTH,
THAT ONE EVENING) EARLY IN THE SPRING9 VLEW IN AT
THE WINDOW, AND FLAt'd ROUND TEE CAKBLE.
§
Little fluttering, fragile beingi
Lively harbinger of spring,
Welcome to my humble dwelling,
Welcome is the news you bring.
You say, the wintry season's over,
ChilUng storm and biting frost ;
That the fields ^1 soon recover
All the verdure they had lost.
Ah ! beware, gay little stranger ;
Go not near yon dazzling light ;
Whf) unconcious of thy danger^
Round it dost thoQ wing thy ffight ?
By its splendour fascinated^
Nearor, and nearer wilt thou fly }
Ah! poor ibol) I see thou'rt &ted
In th' aUuring flame to £e.
809 by merit oft attracted,
The heart susceptible admires ;
Basks in the powerful rays refracted—
In the subtile flame expires ;
Too late acquainted with its danger.
Fain would the fiiscinadon fly ;
But ah ! like thee, poor little stranger,
Tis doom'd to flutter, yield; and di(^.
H
THE ROSES OF LIFE.
Why should we complain of this life's dreary road}
Or the thorns and the thistles that in our path lay ?
Has not Heaven apordon of reason bestowM}
To pass them o*er Ughtly, or brush them away ?
m gather life's roses wherever I find them^
. And snule at their folly who dread to come near ;
Who cast all its joys and its pleasures behind them^
Nor pluck the sweet buds, lest the thorn should appear.
There are sorrows and cares in this life, *tis well known ;
The heartmay weep blood,thaugh the cheek may be dry ;'
But in sootlung another's, we lighten our own,
And light fall^ the tear ^hat fills Sympathy's eye.
t «y 3
Dear Sympathy ! thou art the rose without tlioms ;
Dwell still in my bosom, each care to beguile :
Thy softness the cheerfiil face ever adorns,
And throws o'er the sad one, a meek patient smile.
Grim Poverty, too, is a thorn in our way—
Ah no ! for meek Industry stands by his side s
With cheerful spring flowers she makes the path gay,
And smiles at the frowns and repinings of pride.
Come, strew round thy inlolets sweetiy narcotic ;
So calm and refreshing the rest tibey bestow.
The monarch supreme, or the tyrant despotic,
Such rest can ne'er take, nor such slumbers can know.
And see the gay wreath with which Heaven has bound us.
Society, fnendslup, and chaste mutual love ;
Snatch,snatch the gay flowers I the storm gathers round us ;
The roses will fade, and their fragrance remove.
[ 8S 3
Then bend^ humbly bend to the storm as it passes ;
Tho' sharp be the thorn that remains on the spraf i
Friendship'sblossom ne'er fades, and its perfume surpasses
The light summer flowerS) which flitted awaf.
EVENING.
jVliLD EvEWiNG, on whose dove-like, downy wing,
The wanton Zephyrs sport, and as they fling
Their soft refrc|hing dews o'er hill and dale,
Ten thousand sweets are wafted by the gale— •
Thee I invoke, sweety solemn virgin, thee.
To take thy silver lamp, and stray with me
To yonder hill, half hid beneath the wood,
Where I may listen to th* impetuous flood,
Which, rushing from the cliff's rude craggy side,
Softer and softer flows in sullen pride ;
Till through the mead its bright meanders stray,
And its weak murmurs gently die away.
There, as my feet the floVry margin press,
Thou, Nymph, in thy most fascinating dress,
H 2
[ 90 ]
In azure robe ascend thy studded car,
And on thy forehead thy pale crescent bear :
Nor let light Folly, noisy, pert and rude,
Upon the peaceful soGtude intrude ;
But to my wish be some companion sent,
Who knowB to make e'en silence eloquent ;
Who feels thy charms expand the glowing heartf
And in few words, those feelings can iix^wt ;
In simplest language, be each thought expreat
In part, whilst looks of rapture apeak the rest.
And whilst on contemplation's wing we rise
To range the w<»idroua concave of the sUeSi
Mark how the planetary systems roll.
And trace Crc«dve Power from pole to pole ;
Then may mild wisdom, from the Hps I lovci
Assist, direct, encoun^, and improve
My weaker judgment ; t^ut my soul aspire ;
Teach me to comprehend, adore, admire ;
Thus strewing flow'rs along life's dreary road, .
We'd trace the path that leads us to our God.
[ 91 ]
Ah I whither, whither would my flmcy stray ? »
Behold.th' enchanting visi(»i fleets away !
A lonely, dreary waste is all I see ;
A lonely prospect but renuuns for me :
Yet here and there adom'd with evergreen.
Some simple, fidr, and firagntnt flowers are seen.
Then let me not ungrateful pass them by,
Though they bwt not the xich canuttion's die ;
Nor do their modest leaves or forms disclose
The grace and perfume of the blushing rose \
Tet e'en in tliese, the lAmibie heart may find
And draw a balm to heal the wounded mind.
TO HYGEIA-
Nymph, who at Uie earliest dawn
Bucklest blythe thy buskins on ;
Who hang'st upon the milkmaid's pail,
The mower's scythe, the thresher's flail ;
Who lov'st thy votaries to lead
O'er misty hill, through dewy mead.
Ere yet Aurora's saffron vest
Throws a light blush along the east ;
Whose ruddy cheek, and laughing eye,
Mak'st all around thee sing with joy ;
That £LX>m the cottage to the throne
We court thy smile, and fear thy frown—
Thee I invoke ! Htgeia, thee I
Where'er thou wand'rest, blythe and free,
Hither in haste thy steps direct,
Each salutary plant collect,
[ 93 ]
And scatter them around the bed,
Where Berna rests her aching head.
Each cooling herb, that may restrain
The fever boiling in each vein ;
Thy poppies bring, her eyelids steep,
And seal them in refreshing sleep.
Oh Nymph I wherever thou may'st dwell,
On mountain's brow, m grot or cell,
Propitious hear thy suppliant's pray'r ;
Let Berna's safety be thy care ;
Repel, alleviate every pain.
And make her all thy own again.
So when fair Flora, queen of fiow'rs,
Comes leading on May's rosy hours,
Each cheek that decollates her train,
I'll pluck to grace thy sacred fene.
An altar to thy name I'll raise ;
The grateful muse shall hymn thy praise :
Yes, ever grateful will I be,
Though thou should'st take tliy flight from vcl^.
THE STANDARD OF LIBERTY.
In former times, by ancient bards we're told,
Greece, hurried by revenge, with power grown bold^
invested Troy's fam'd city, and at length,
*3y art, not force of arms, subdued its strength.
Tlie guards, by fraud deceived, betray'd their trust,
And Troy's proud tow'rs were level'd with the dust.
At midnight, a tremendous fire began,
And through the city as it furious ran,
A warlike youth, for deeds of glory fam'd,
Nor less for filial love, -SLneas nam'd.
Flew to his father's tent, « Haste ! haste !" he cries,
" The city is surpris'd ; dear father, rise."
Then mshing in with eager haste, he bore
His aged father forth, and sought a distaiit shore.
Jove, from Olympus' height, with joy survey'd
The pious act^ and thus benignant said ;
[ 9S ]
^ Ye Nymphs and Tritons, who delighted sweep
With beauteous Umbs the sur&ce of the deep,
Be it your care iSirEAs be not lost;
Conduct him safe to the Italian coast ;
There shall he wed the daughter of a king.
And from their loves a mighty race shall spring
. Of warlike heroes, who aloft shall bear
My glorious standard through the fields of air/'
Then from his hand majestic forth he threw
The glittering eagle ; swift as tliought he flew
To guard i^NEAs' race, repel his foes,
Till from his sons a mighty nation rose.
The eagle gracM the standard they unfurl'd,
And Rome became the mistress of the world.
Long, long she bore the umversal sway ;
The world with pleasure listened to obey
Whatever were her commands ; but to relate
Wliat sudden, sad, what strange reverse of fate
Shrouded her glory— luxury and pride,
With avarice, and every \'ice beside,
[ »6 ]
Sapp'd her wise Iaw8> UDnerv*d her aoldiers' pcyw'ri
And Rome's vast empire fell^ to rise no more.
By vice and folly thus expell'd fix>m Romey
The warlike eagle sought another homey
In mazy circles round th' ethereal plain,
UnfixM, uncertun where to 'light again.
Jovb's martial-bird majestically fieW|
Till thy fair shades, Columbia, met his view ;
On the new rising world he fix'd his eye,
And hover*d o'er it with exulting joy.
Jove saw with pleasure, and his will exprest,
^< Go, in Columbia's shades take up thy rest,
For there, from lowly cot and moss grown cell,
My favorite daughter freedom, goes to dwell.
Science, with laurelPd brow, shall grace her court,
Thither the arts and muses shall resort,
Thither the brave and worthy shall repair ;
And thou shalt grace tlie standard they shall bear,
t 9r ]
Nor fear thou, e'er shalt be expell'd again :
Columbia's Standard ne'er shall know a stain.
As thus tlie Thund'rer spoke, the realms above
Re-echoed with the strains of peace and love :
Long may ColumilMa flourish, was the strsdn.
Long may her glorious Independence reign ;
By Heaven protected, may her children prove
The siiNBits of peace and pure domestic love.
The music ceas'd, the Standard glorious rose C
A youthful band the heavenly pledge enclose
To guard it, and repel mvading foes ;
When LIBERTY in robes transcendant bright,
Her head encircled with a crown of light, ^
Thus with a smile^the warlike legi<m owns,
^ Columbia is my home^HEn Wabriobs are my Sons."
I
RIGHTS OF WOMAN.
While Patriots on wide philosopluc plans
Declsdm upon the wondious rights of many
May I presume to speak? ami though uncommoiit
Stand forth the chamj^on of the ri^ts of woman ?
Nay, start not> gentle sirs ; indeed^ 'tis true,'^
Poor woman ^ her rights as well as you ;
And if she's wise, she will assert them too. ^
If you'll have patience, and your wrath forbear^
In a few words I'll tell you what they are.
You knoir when man in Paradise was plac'd^
(Blest garden with etemal verdure grac'd,)
In Tain for real hapjnness he triedy
Till Heaven in compassion^ from Ids side
[ 99 ]
»
Taking a rib, fair Eve in all her beauty
Appear'd, to Adam, proffering her duty ;
In terms so gentle, sweet, and void of art, "^
That ere he thought on't, Adam lost his heart.
Now pray don^t think I mean to take Eve's part 5^
No, she'd no right— 'twas acting vefy wrongs
To listen to the serpent's flattering* tongue.
And from her fete her daughters ever claim
A right to be tenacious of their fame ;
Knoiiji% how easy she was led aside.
We claim a right to call up afi our prich>|^
Discretion, honour, sense, to our assistance,
And keep each flattering coxcomb at a distance.
Then we assert our right ; for *tis our pride
In all domestic matters to preside ;
And on the mystery c^ raisiiig pies,
Compounding stews and soups, philosophize ;
Study the vine, the Bush, ot brambl6's fruity
Into transparent jellies to transmute ;
t 100 ]
Whip the light sillabub, all froth and show,
White, sweet, and harmless, like a modem beau.^
Are fathers, brothers, friends, oppress*d with care—*
We claim a right in every grief to share ;
Shed balm upon their pillow of repose.
And strip of thorns life's quickly fading rose \.
Augmenting to the utmost of our power,
The pleasures of the gay or tranquil hour* n^
While man abroad for happiness may roam,
'Xi& ours to make a paradise at home.
Our known exclusive privilege of beauty,
You all allow— <and next in filial duty,
* Pre-eminent we stand.— ^The Grecian Dame>
Who daily to her father's prison came ;
And while maternal fondness wrung her hearty
Forsook the motliec'a Sw the davghltr's part ;
I 101 ]
^ The fidr Virgink wk> would not mUistuidy
The stroke of death from a loy'd fiithei^ hand ;
But meekly yielded, lest the next sad hour
Should give her to the vile Decemvir*s pow'r :
The gentle Rutb, whose heart, by friendship tied,
Refus'd to leave forlorn Naomi's side ;
Boldly asserted, and her right approved.
To serve the mother of the man she lov'd.
As 'tis our right, oh, be it still our praise,
To gild the eve of our dear parents' days ;
Smooth the drear slope that leads toyman's last doom.
And decorate with grateful love thrir tomb. ^
- Ndxt 'tis our right, to watch the sick man's bed.
Bathe the swoln limb, or bind the aching ^head ;
Present each nauseous draught with tenderness,
And hide the anxious tear, we can't repress ;
On tiptoe ghde around the da4cien'd"room,
*■ - r
And strive by smileaito dismpateitt |M|a9i|
Cheeri comfort, help them patient to endurer
And mitigate the ills we cannot cure.
We claim undoubted right, the tear to dry r
Which gushes from AflBiction's languid eye ;
The widow's heart to cheer, her wrongs redresSf
And be the mother of the parentless ;
Snatch them from vice, or poverty's abode.
And consecrate their orphan lives to God.
Not by immuring them ^ gloomy cells,
Wl^re palsied fear ,osF superstition dwells ;
But teaching them diifc duties of their station,
Guarding their artless nunds against temptation,
And lead them to become, through industry^
Good, useful members of society*
These are our right»-4hese rights, who dares dispute
I#t him speak now.^— No answer— what-<— all mute ?
C 103 )
But soft, methinka some discontented fair
Cries-^<< These are duties, Mias.^^-Agreed, they are ;
But know you not that woman's proper sphere
Is the domestic walk ? To interfere
With politics, divinity, or law,
As much deserved ridicule would draw
On woman, as the learned, grave divine^
Cooking the soup an which he means to dine ^
Or formal judge, the winders at his knee,
Preparing silk to work embroidery. «
Domestic duty— oh how blest are we !
All women are not so— for we are free.
Those duties to perform in every station ;
While the poor women of the eastern nation^
Shut from society—hard, hard their case is,
Forbid to walk abA)ad, or sliow their laces -,
From every care, from thought, and duty free^
live lives of listless inactivity.
t 104 1
Live} do I say ? No» Vm mistaken there ;
'Tis vegetadng like the gay paterre>
Where tulips^ roses, pinks, aUure the eye^
Expand their leaves, to be admired) and die.
While skilled thus to improve life's active powers^
How great, how blest a privilege is ours !
While laudably em^oy*d, all men respect us :
Oppressed, we've Others, brothers to protect us ;
And are we orphans ? orphans never crave.
In vain, protection frqyn the good and btave.
Then ever let it be our pride, ye fidr,
To merit their protection, love, and care ;
With useful knowledge be our heads well stor^dy
While in our hearts we every virtue hoard.
These rights we may assert, and tho' thought common^
These; and these only^ ai^ the Rights or Womaw.
WOMEN AS THEY ARE.
** Children, like tender osiers, take the bow,
And as they first are fashioned, always grow."
Thus spoke the bard ; and 'tis a moral truths
That precept and example, taught in youth,
Dwell on the mind till life's dull scene is past ;
Clinging about us even to the last
And women, pray for folly don't upbraid them.
Axe just such things, as education made them.
The girl, who from her birth is thought a beauty,
Scarce ever hears of virtue, sense or duty ; «rr ,
Mamma^ delighted mth each limb and feet^^ ^^
Declaresi she is a fascinating creature ;
[ 106 ]
Forbids all study, wont, or wise reflection ;
*Twill spoil her eyes, or injure her complexion.
" Hold lip your head, my dear ; turn out your toes j
Bless me, whats that? a pimple on your nose i
It smarts, dear, don't it ? how can yoU endure it?
Here's some Pomade dtvine^ to heal tod ciire it.**
Then, every little master, that comes near her,
Is taught to court, to flatter, or to fear her*
Nurse or Mamma cries, " See, my dearest life,
There's Charley, you shall be his little YnSt ;
Smile my sweet creature ; Chariey, come and kies her,
And tell me, is she not a pretty miss, sir ?
Give her that orange ; fruit, fine clothes, and toy«>
Were made for litde laiides, not for boys.'*
Thus, ere one proper wish her heart can move.
She's taught to think of lovers, and of love ;
She's tUi she is a beauty, does not doubt' it ;
What need of sense ? beauties can wed withottt it
t lor 3
And then her eyes, her teeth, her lips, her hmtf
And shape, are all that can be worth her care ;
She thmks a kneeKi^ world should bow befinre her^
And men were but created to adore her.
But call her to the active scenes of life,
As friend, as daughter, mother, mistress, wife ;
You scarce can find, in the whole course of nature^
A more unfortunate or helpless creature.
Untaught the smaUeat duty of her station,
She stands, a cyi^er in tiie vast creation.
Her husband might pertiaps expect to find
The ai^d's form contun'd an arigel's mind.
Alas, poor man I time will the veil remove ;
She Aoef no &ult. No I you were blind with love ; ^^
You flattered, idoli2sed, made her your wife ;
She thought these halcyon days would last for Ufe.
At every smaU ncfglect, from her bright eyes
The lightning flashes ; then she pouts and cries ;
When th* angel amks, I fear, alas, in commoa^ ^'
Into a downwright captious, teazing troman ;
t io« 1
And if a reasonable friend was sought^
To counsel, sooth, or share each anxious thought^
Poor man ! your disappointment I lament ;
You've a long life before you— to repent
^ Dear," cries mamma, whose only merit lies
In maldng puddings, good preserves, and pies j
Who rises with Aurora, blythe and cheery^
Feeds pigs and poultry, overlooks her dairy.
Brews her own beer, makes her own household lineUi
And scolds her girls, to make them mind their spinnings—
^ pear, surely Tom was blind ; what could he sec,
to
l^think of marrying such a thing as she ?
She was a beauty ; what is beauty ? pshaw !
I never knew a beauty worth a straw.
She's so eat up with pride, conceit, and folly,
I vow she knows no more than little Molly,
Whetlwr a pig were better roast or boil'd ;
I warrant many a dinner will be spoil'd.
t ^» 3
But ni take care^ "vrfaoeyer wedt my daughter
Shall find a different lesson, I have taught her.
My Bettys fifteen next May ; Vd lay a crown)
SheM cook a dinner with the best in town ;
' To roast) orbcnl, make pud£ng, pye or jeDy^
There's nother equal far or near, I tell ye«
Then atjier needle, making, men^Ung, darnings
What is there else that's worth a woman's learning P
\^ith my good will, a girl should never look
In any but a pray'r tir cook'ry book :
Aea^g 'bout kings, and states, and foreign nations,
WHl only fill their beads with proclamations.*^
If of these documents a girl's observant.
What is she fit for, but an upper servant?
Behold Wsn Tastt every n3nnph excel,
A fine, accomplished, &shionable belle.
Plac'd at the harpsichord, see with what ease
JSer snowy fingers run along the keys ;
K
I HO 3
Now quite in alt, to th' lughest notes she'll go ;
Now runnmg down the bass, she fiJls as low i
Flats, sharps, and naturals, together jumbled,
She laughs to think how little folks are humbled*
While some pretending coxcomb sighing, says,
So loud that she may hear, ^ Heavens, how she plays.*
Then she speaks French. Comment vouz portez ifouz f
Ma chere arhie ! ma vie I oh del I mon dieu I
And dances — sink, chasse, and rigadoon.
Or hops along, unheeding time or tune^
As fashion may direct. Laughs loud, and talksi
And with a more than manly swagger, walks,
Swinging her arms with an undaunted air ;
And should occadon serve, perhaps she'll swear.
Beckon's some chattering ape across the room, *
And call him, devilish wretch, should he presume
To tap her cheek, or neck ; while Ids her aim,
To tempt some other fop to do the same ;
sinks to a level with each frothy fool.
And turns the man of sense to ridicule.
How wretched, how deplorable his &te,
Who gets this fluttering insect for a mate.
If he has sense, tho* love nught blind his eyes,
He'll find his'sight too late ; loath and despise ;
And being bound for life> past help ! past hope !
Wish for a poniard, pistol, or a rope.
« Ah ! wo is me," poor Linoamxra cries.
The drop, pellucid trembling in her eyes ;
<* Ah ! wo is me, I see where'er I turn
Some folly to lament, some wo to mourn/*
« Yes," cries mamma, « my lovely prl, I sec,
You caught your sensibility from me ;
I ne*er*could read a fine wrought scene of wo,
But that my ughs would heave, my tears would flow ;
And my sweet child does credit to her breeding,
Admires sentiments, and doats on reading."
% 'M
J
t ll« 1
Poor LiKBAMift A) deep in noTeb ready
When married, keeps the path she was taught to tread ^
Atid while the novel's page she's eager tuminj^
The pot boils overs and the meat is burning ;
And wlule she is weeping o'er ideal woesy
Her poor neglected little infant goes
With uncomb'd hair, torn frock, and naked toes.
Her husband disappointed, qtdts Ms home,
At clubs to loiter, or with bucks to roam ;
While LxNDAMiRA still the tale pursues.
And in each heroine, her own sorrow views.
See fair Roxana-; mark with what a grace
She moves, all heaven reflected in her face ;
She lifU her beauteous eyes, she smiles and speaks ;
The laughing loves sits on her dimpled cheeks.
That is the face she wears on holidays ;
At home, on those she dares, the nymph repay*
Herself for this restnunt. Not the smooth wavesy»
That undulating soft, the meadows lave ;
tC "3 ]
And the rough ocean, when the billows rise,
Laah'd by Borean blasts, and threat the skies f
Not fidr Aurora, when with balmy breath
She wafts perfume along the dewy heath ;
And the fierce North, wlten a black cloud deforms'
The &ce of heaven, portending thunder storms ;
Not the mild flame, that on a ^nn'try night
Sheds its reviving warmth, and cheerful light;
And Devastation, with her flaming brand,
Wide spreading conflagration through the land ;
Appear more different, than Roxawa's face,
When, dressed in smiles, she puts on every grace,
And this Roxana, the mask thrown aside,
Flashing vindictive ire, and sullen pride ;
Or when, with discontent or envy stung.
She darts rude satire, from her taunting tongue.
Fond youth, beware i wilfully be not blind.
That Juno's form has Juno's haughty mind.
You might as well expect, secure to sleep
In a slight skiff, ujwn the raging deep,
K 2
_^^
C iw 1
As find one happy moment in yoar lifcf
V £ur RozAN A should become your wifisw
Black looks, or sullen tesffSy at each repast^
Win make each day more wretched than the last^
TSL vex'd, and wearied) you abroad shall roaiQt
For that content you vainly sought at home ;
Convinc'd her spirit will not brook control^ ") |
The galling chain win rankle in your souly »
And you would fly e^en to the &rthest pole^ ^
From the fair fury^ from tiie madd^nmg acene»
And set th^ esqianded umverse between*
Methinks I hear som^ maneaoilting sweart
" Why, this is really ^ Women as they are.**
Fardcm me, sir, 111 speak, Fm not afraid i
1*11 tell you what ^y are, what might be made.
When die Creator £ormM this worid in common^
His last, best work, his master-piece, was woman*
Ta*en from the side of man, and next his hearty
Of all his virtues she partakes a part 9
And from that source, poor woman got a share
Of vice and &)Uy, nungled here and there.
But would you treat us, scorBing custom's rule%
As reasonable beings, ^ot asifiMils»
And fix)m our earliest youth, would ccmdescend
To form our minds, stveagthen, ccHrrect, amendi
Teach us to scorn those feoobs, whose only j9f$
Are placed in triffing, idleness and noise;
Teach us to prize the power of intellect;
And whilst inspiring love, to keep respect ;
You'd meet the sweet reward of all your dM S
Tind in us fiiends, your purest joys to i^Are; .
Tou then would own the chmoecft boon of Hesren^
The happiest lot that can to man be giTen,
To smooth the rugged path, and sweeten Hfe^
Is an affectionate and fiulUUl mk.
SONNET L
1 HE primrose gay, the snow drop palei
The lily blooming in the vale.
Too frs^e, or too feir to last,
Wither beneath th* untimely blast,
Or rudely falling shower ;
No more a sweet perfume they shed,
Their fragrance lost, their beauty fled.
They can revive no more.
So hapless woman's wounded name,
. If Malice seize the trump of fame ;
Or Envy should her poison shed
Upon the unprotected head
Of some forsaken msdd ;
The* pitf may her &te deplore)
Her tirtues sink to rise nomOf^
From dark oblivicm^i ihiMkt
SONNET n.
Content is happiness, the sages say,
Yet> such as the poor shipwrecked ssdlors tastCi
Who all night braved the waves, at dawn of day
Find ^emselves landed on*a barren waste,
And thankful they have *scap*d, the danger o*er,
Dream not 'twill be their fate to starve on shore.
So when we hear life's tempest round us beat|
Ambition, Envy, Pride and Jealousy,
The mind desires to find some lone retreat,
_ . ^_ Safe from the beating of the boisterous sea ;
Nor thinks MFithin th* apparent calm abode,
What silent misery may the bean corrode.
SONMTm.
Yon cloud, which throwd its dark and eni^ous TcB
Over the brow of the chaste queen of night,
Though it may shroud and make her radiance palej
Catches itself a soft refracted lights
.And its dark tints, in meditation's eye,
Sublimely grand are found ;
k
Its sable folds contrasted by
The stream of liquid silver round.
Grown darker still, its silver rays are lost,
And one black curtain wraps the lowering skies,
Shrouding the glorious planetary host, ^
While through the trees, the chill air mournful sighs ;
And barki how heavy ieDs the pdtering shower i
Shall man to mu^ur dare ?
llieae douds, this ram, cheers ^lant and flo Vr^
To mike the mom more &ur»
So often o'er Hfe's fraS and transient y>jf
Some unexpected sombre shade is thrown |
Its gloom the pleasure of the scene destroys,
And even Hope's pale trembling beam b gone )
But we, firon^ this, may purest joys derive,
When the cloud breaks away ;
Emeiging from the gloom, should hope re^ve^
Tvnll brighter make the day.
SONNET IV*
SaT> where can peace of mbd be feimd)
If not where truth and hoxMmr dwell ;
Where reason darts her influence TOiind>
The mists of error to dispel i
But ok our passions take the lead^
And hoodwink'd Reason lags behind ;
When spotless honour's doom'd to bleed^
Ah, then adieu to peace oCxnind.
Though Reason fail, and Honour die^
Truth, awful Truth, in light array*d,
L
->
Holds her bright mirror to the eyej
And shews the Tictim ?ice has made.
We start, and tvan our loathing eyes
From the sad view; the change we moum|
Vain, vain regret ! when Virtue fliesj
Alas ! Peace never can return.
■^.
SONNET v.— DXV-BREAK.
Soft streaks of lighti along the eastern skiesi
Bid the industrious labourer arise ;
Shake off the fetters which his senses bound,
Reap the rich grain, or till the fertile ground j
lightly he springs from off the slothful bed,
Thankful for power to earn his dsdly bread^
So let me hail thee, cheerful rising day,
Chasing with smiles the clouds of night away ;
And thankful for the blessings thou dost brhig,
My soul its grateful matin song shall sing \^
Prepare my daily duties to fulfil ; if
And having pow'r, may I ne'er want the \riU
a^.
Faithfully to perform the task assign'd^
:With bnqrhands, a light and cheerful mind ;
Eatem^ii^ g^ven blessing as I ought^
Nor whatfs withheld; repl&e at, ey^ m thought^
SONNET VI.
Away, duU care> and lt(|^ xae j(
By cheerful fancy led^ •
No more shall doubt e*er grieve xtJ^
Each hour by pleasure sped*
Rejoicing, as they pass awajy
Repeating, as they fly
On downy wing : << Oh ! sieze to-d^^
Give it to joy, it will not stay
E'en to-morrow's morning ray i
Resting on its bed of clay^
Still thy heart may lie/*
id
TO HOPE.
Gilded Phantom) Ught and vaitti
Gay, delusive) fleeting thing ;
Flattering shade^ descend agouni
Bear me on thy downy Mring.
What tho* oft thou dost deceive^ '
Still I woo thee to my breast ;
listen still, and still believe^
TiU each doubtis huahM to rest;
^ ML
TO THE SAME*
Sweet cherub} dad in Mbes of white;
Descend) celestial Hope,
And on thy pimons soft aod lights
Oh bear thy Tot*ry up. •^
^Hs thou canst soothe the troubled breast,
The tear of sorrow dry ;
jCanst hush eash doubt and £sar to reM^
And cbeA the rising sigh; *^
THE ENQUIRY.
What in life is worth pofl«e«ms?
Tell me, rigid censors, say t
I/)Ye alone's the choicest Ueuiiog $
. -^ f ?WSen let's love our lives away.
But if Love, that gtq^Mt trtanOYfi
Is not plac*d within our powV }
Then let Friendship fill the measures
Then to Frieodship give the hour*
Take the present time, enjoy it ;
'^^\iid since life is but a span }
Tfiey'are wisest, who employ it,
Snatclung all the sweets they can.
TO THE R05£, •
X0VELT9 blushing:, fragrnmt Ross;
Emblem of life's tranuent joys,
£re half thy sweets thou canst disclose^
One rude touch thy bloom destroys.
Though the sweetness thou dost peld
Can pleasure to each sense impart ;
The thorn, beneath thy leaves concealed)
Oft wounds the unsuspecting heart.
-««
if ABJJEU
^ Write a poem;" aaid SvttAf « to mcio perase.'^
^ I willy my dear girl, if the subject you'll choose 9
Or if you'll press into my service the Muse i
For of late she has left me.
Shall I write upon love ?** « No, love is but folly."
« On the sorrows of life ?" « No ! that's melancholy !"
« On its pleasures V* << Ah, yes, tell me where I may find
them ;
I have sought them in vaini but I now have resigned them ;
Time of hope has bereft mc»
f Write, write— let me see ; on these candleitStJks write."^
« Pdiaw ! I can't write on those.'* « WcH, then let the palo
light
Be the subject ; it serves to enliven the night.
But oft will deceive us i
Aod like frielidS) whom in fortune's gay sunshine we know.
Having blazed in our service an hour or two^
When mght quick advandng> throws round us its shade^
Grow languid} and when we may most vrant their aid,'
Win vamsh, and leave us.**
In days of romance^ when, as Fabulists teach>
Trees, plants, stocks, and stones had the pow'r of speech ;
When foxes could flatter, and grave owls could preach j
In a snug little dwelling.
By the parlour fire side, on a cold winter's night ;
A lamp and a candle enutted their light ;
Twas a &ir tall mould candle ; the lamp, when fill'd brim*
ming,
. Would bUlffwenty hours Without any trimming ;
Eaoch in merit excelfing.
i 1» I
The candle was vsdn of her shape and her Staturej
And said to the lampi ^ Insignificant creaturei
«[ Pray dost thou presume^ with thy tbul smoky nature^
«* To vie with my beauty I
f^ Keep your distance^ i^e thing i in some kitchen immurt
you;
^ Your smell is offensive, I cannot ending you ;
^ Behold my fine form, how tall, slender, and white,
^ And see round my head what a full blaze of light ;
5* Away I learn your duty.*
« Vain fool," quoth the If^mp, « though so brilliant and gay,
« Know you not that bright flame only bums to decay I
« The delicate form you're so proud to display ?
« Soon your reign will be past.
« Like the passions of youth, your evanescent fire,
« Having wasted your form, fpH grow fainMH expire ;
« While, like reason's pure radiance, my steadier fiamei
« Though paler, unchanging and ever the same
J< Through along night will last."
1
SONNET l^MORNING.
Now the sun, with cheerful ray,
Rises to salute the day ;
While the fragrant breath of mom
Shakes the dew-drops off the thorn.
Now the lark, with tunefiil note,
Strains her little warbling throat,
And, rejoicing, seems to say.
Mortals, rise and hsul the day.
# M
SONNET ll.^NOON.
Phoebus, fix>m his burning throne,
Darts direct his blazing eye ;
Flow'rs, their morning fragrance gone,
Hang their heads, and seem to die.
Flocks and herds now seek the shade.
Or lave them in the cooling streams ;
The rustic swain, and nut-brown maid,
In the forest shun his beams ;
While trees, and plants, and shrubs, on lull, in grore^
Droop 'neath the fervour of the rays they love.
SONNET m.—EFENING.
Purple clouds adom the west.
Radiant Sol is sunk to rest ;
Eve in the robe of silver grey
Wraps the Balding face of day j
The rfiilk maid now her fingers plies ;
The weary lab'rer homeward hies,
Uls wallet cross his| shoulders flung.
And at his side his bottle hung ;
While nympha and swains, in meadows gay,
Walk and chat, or sing and play,
And Philomela's plaintive strains C9mplete the roundelaf.
SONNET IV.— iVIGim
C/N her car of deepest blue,
With silver thickly studded o'er,
Clad in robes of sombre hue,
Sprinkling round a dewy shoVif i
A diamond cresent on her brow,
Shedding soft and chastened light,
. . Bidding cooling zephyrs blow.
Welcome, silent, tranquil Night.
l8eneath thy covert while the many sleep,
The wretched may, unseen, uncensur'd, weep ;
And forced all day with smiles to hide their woe^
Blest night I conceal'd by thee, the tears may fioW|
The highest luxury the tortured heart can know.
THE choice;
I ASK no more than just to bo
From vice and folly wholly firee ;
To have a competent estate,
Neither too small, nor yet too great ;
Something of rent and taxes clear^
About five hundred pounds a year.
"My house, thotigh small, should be complete
Funiished, not ele'gant, but neat ;
One little room should sacred be
To study, aoUtude, and me.
The windows, jessamine should shadei
Kor should a sound the ears invade,
Except the warblings from the grovei
Or plaintive murm'rings of the doye.
t-?.
[ 138 3
Merc would I often pass the day,
Turn o'er the page, or tune the lay,
And court the aid and sacred fire
Of the Parnassian tunefid choir.
-^^ While calmly thus my time I*d spend,
f Grant cnie, kind Heaven, a faithfiil friend^
In each emotion of my heart,
Of grief or joy, to bear a part ;
Possessed ofleaming, and good ftemSey
Free from pedantic insolence.
Pleas'd with retirement let him be>
Yet cheerful, midst society ;
Know how to trifle with ft grac^
Yet grave in proper time aJKl place*
Let frugal plenty deck my bear^
So that its surplus may afford
Assistance to the neighb*rmg poor,
And send them thankful from the dk)Of •
A few associates Td select,
Worthy esteem and high respect ;
And social mirth I would invite.
With sportive dance on tiptoe light ;
Kor should sw^^t imisic's voice be mut^ '*^
The vocal strain, or plaintive hite ; ^
But all, and each, in turn agree,
T* afford life sweet variety ;
To keep serene the cheerful breas^
And give to solitude a zest.
And often be it our employ,
For there is not a purer joy,
To wipe the languid grief-swoln eye,
To sooth the pensive mourner's sigh.
To calm their fears, allay their griei^
And i^ye; if possible^ relief.
'*S"ic-^
r 140 5
But if this late, directing Heayen
Thinks too indulgent to be g^veOf
Let health and innocence be miner
And I will strive not to repine ;
^ Will thankful take each blessing len^
Be humble; patient> aa4 content
*
OH THE DEATH 0»
Miss JULIANA KNOX.
Peace to the heart that mourns, the eye that Wecps I
The lovely maiden is not dead, she sleeps.
Where seraphs min'ater round Jehovah's throne>
Her imembodied, spotless soul is flown ;
And kindred angels tuned their golden lyres,
Their bosoms glowing with celestial fires,
To guide her through the doubtful, gloomy wtiyi
Safe to the realms of everlasting day ;
Welcomed their sister to the house of rest,
The bright eternal mansions of the blest i
There mixing with the bright celestial train^
Exulting, she will join the adoring strain,
To HIM who was^ and is,
And shall forever reigft.
Oh, mother ! most afllicted, sure if e*e?
Maternal love was Heaven*s peculiar care,
Thy silent tears, thine agonizing sighs,
Before the Great Eternal will arise.
Cease then thy plaints ; look up with fidth ; beholdlt
They in the magic volume are enroU'dj
KegisterM in the awfiil court of Heaven,
Who only has recall'd, what it had given.
Religion, snulbig as she maik»the page, *
Cries, « Let this hope the mother*8 pangs assuage |
Though the unspotted angels went beCore,
The hour will come when grief shall be no more ;
Then shah thou see those much lov'd forms s^M%
And join with them in the adoring stndn,
To HIM who wasy and is ;
And shall forever reign.
*Mrs. Knox lost four cbildren in two yetrs) two ofwium
were grown yp.
TO A YOUNG LADY, WHO REQUESTED THE
AUTHOR TO WRITE SOMETHING ON HER.
X OU \nd me write on that fair fece s
W^ll pleas'd I take the theme ;
But when I would recount each grace^ ^
Tm puzzled in th* extreme.
Flattery, dear ♦**, 1 cannot bear ;
I write, and speak, the truth ;
I know you good, I think you fidri
Blest with the charms of youth.
But yet forgive me, if I say,
Should I each thought arer^
Ji4
*■-•
C 144 1
tTone are so good, but that they mayy
At some times; greatly err.
Pardon xnc, when these lines you sec,
And know me for a fiiend i
Who thinks, whatever your faults may bej
TouVe sense^ and power, to mend*
SIMILE.
Passion is Ukc the base narcotic flower,
That flaunts its scarlet bosom to the day ;
And when exerting its ne&rious power,
Benumbs the sense^ and steals the strength away^
In the gay mom attractive to the tjCy
Its thin leaves flutter in the wanton wmd ;,
But ere the sun declines, t'will hde and die,
While still its baleTul poison lurks behind.
But Love ! pure Love I the huinan soul pervading,
Is like the musk-rose, scenting summer's breath ;
Its charms, whca budding in its prime, and fading,
Will even jvM a rich perfume in death*' ^
FRIENDSHIP— AN ALLXcoaY.
Love, as 'tis said, of Beauty tir*d,
Of course no longer bBnd ;
Beheld, and ardently admir'd,
A grave plain nymph, called MIND.
He won her ; from'this marriage sprung^
As poets fondly deem,
A Uttle maid, whose praise theyVe sung,
Yclept by them ESTEEM.
REASON admiry, in early youth,
This lovely maiden's charms ;
^ ' *Twas Reason woo'd ; she, led by Truth,
Soon yielded to his arms. '
[ 147 ]
A beateous child their union blestj
Of most etherial make :
Of neither 8ex> as it liked besti
, It either form could take. «.
It had its^father's pierdng eye^
Its mother's ardent soul ;
Its voice afBiction's tear could dry^
Or passion's 'rage control.
The VIRTUES triumph'd in its birth j
£yen WISDOM smiling came ;
Bade it descend to bless the earthf
And FRIENDSHIP calL'd its name.
^
VmGIL»S 10th ECLOGUE.
Allow me, Arethusa, by thy stream
To tune my lyre, and chant my fiav'rite theme ;
In this last effort a slight strain to raise,
And to my Gallus* de^cate the lays.
* Gallus, ft greftt friend and patron of Viroil, ftnd an ezceU
lent poet. He raised himself from a low station, to high favour
with the Emperor Augustus. He was deeply in love with a la«
dy whom he calls Lycobii, who slighted him for a solder,
whom she had followed to the wars. The poet, therefore, sup-
poses Gallvs retired into the solitudes of Arcadia, surrounded
l^y the rural deities, who all unite in pi^ng his misfortunes^
ttd consoling him under the hard usage of his scornfal mistreit*
And where, my Gallus, may the poet bet
Who would refuse to tune his lyre for thee I
Oh ! may the numbers flow so soft, so clear,
That even Lycoris herself might heaf.
So, Arethusa,t when thy chaste, cold tide,
Shall soft beneath Sicilian billows glide,
May green hair'd DoRist from thy path decline,
Nor ever mix her bitter waves with thine.
Begin^jmy muse, whilst, or with wanton bound.
Or browsing the green turf my kids sport round ;
Yet not for them, we strike th* harmomc string ;
*Tis not tq them insensible we sing.
Rehearsing Gallus* unsuccessful loves
In plaintive numbers, th' umbrageous groves,
t Arethusa, a mer in Sicily, said to pass many miles und^r
the sea, with which its waters never mix.
i DoR2$, a sea nymph, but used\i^t^ ^Qt ^'fe %^^ \na^^
C 150 ]
Most sweetly shall prolong the soothing strainsy
And Echo bear them to the ni^ighbouring plaint*
Ye Nymps, and Naiades, what lawns, what bowtrtf
Or limpid fountains fring'd with sedge and flowers^
Detained ye ? whilst beneath Arcadian skies,
My Gallus with unheeded passion dies.
On *Pindus' summit did ye sportive play ?
Or in Parnassus* hallow'd precincts stray ?
Or to sweet t Agganippe's fount resort, ^
Where the nine tuneful sisters hold their- court ?
Ah no, ye nymphs ! sure these could not detain
Your consolations from the loyenuck swain.
* Pindus and Parnassus, are two mountains consecrated to Ht^
muses.
t Ag'g^nnippe, a fountain which springs in Pindus, fmd is iOBi»-
times caUcci the Apnian spring.
[ 151 3
With him the sacred laurel seemed to tnoany
And the green tamansk, as sad alone.
Beneath Lycxan cliffs he lay reclinM^
And breathed his sorrows to the passing wind.
Pine-crown*d *MoenaIus every sigk retum'd,
And e'en the cold rocks melted as he mourned.
With piteous looks stood round his fleecy care,
And seem'd their much lov'dmaster's-grief to share ;
Blush^jpot, sweet chanter of the vocal reed,
Blush not that thou art doom'd a flock to feed ;
t Adonis, loveliest of Arcadia's swains.
Tended his sheep upon her flow*ry plains,
. * Mocnalufl and Lycoei, two mountains of Arcadidi the one 9^
bounded with plnes^ the other was almost continually covered
with snow.
t Adonis, a shepherd-boy, exceedingly handsome, and beloved
hy Venus,
£ 15J 3
Or led them by the fouBtab's moAsy ttdey
Or where through meads traodlucent rivers glide ;
Yet Cttherea, deck'd in all her pharms)
Qescending, wooed the shepherd to her armS}
Left, for his sake, the blissful seats abore,
His heart her throne, her cnily heav'n his love.
The shepherds and the slow-pac'd neatherds came ;
All mourned my Gallus' unsuccessful flame :
To soothe his grief, Menalus near him drew, ^
His garments dripping with autuipnal dew ;
Fring'd round the skirts with gems of glittering hoar,
Loaded with acorns for his winter store.
All, all enquire, " Can nought thy grief remove ?
Why thus pines Gallus ^th unheeded love ?
Apollo self, forsook the orient skies,
*< And whence this folly ? whence this love ?" he cries ;
C 15S 1
^ She, eren Ltcouxs, that haughty feir,
<* For whom you waste your youth in pining care,
« Flies the soft shadows of Arcadia's grove,
•< 0*er snow crown'd hills she seeks another love,
« Nor check'd by fear, nor scar'd by war*s alarms,
« Follows through camps, and horrid scenes of armi.
Sylvanus came along ; where'er he treads,
Pale primroses, and snow-drops rear their heads ;
About his waist the fragrant musk-ros&i)low8|
And sumptuous lilies nod upon his brows.
Pan came, with whom the rustic &uns advance,
And as he pipes, lead up the mazy dance ;
Whom once we saw by nymphs in sportive moodf
Stained with the bramble's and the alder's blood ;
« And is there nought," he cries, << can bring relief?
« Does Gallvs set no limits to his grief i
^
.1 ^^* }
^ ThiDk'stthoatlMt love i^gaf^ thy tear&I^Fe^ '
^Hescotrnathy 8omm%aiidhemock8thy sigbs; -
^ When ti^rifty bees are sated with the aweetoi
^ Which in the grioiate's frsq^^rant blossom meets i
^ When kids are sated and forsake the field%
^ Which sweetest dinibs and richest pasture yieIda-««
^ Then cruel loye, his poison'd arrows spent^
MVith human suffeiings will be content.'*
V:
But mournful he replies, « Through ev*ry groYcj
^ Ye shepherds ye shall sing my hopeless loye ;
« Ye shepherds who in &m*d Arcadia dwell,
« Who most expert can tune the vocal shell ;
♦< Ah then I each sorrrow of my soul suK>rest|
#<< How soft beneath your turf my bones shall rest ;
^ So may your strains my memory probng,
«* So be my love recorded in your scxig.
^ But oh ! that Heaven in an humble statcu
^ Fixing my lot, like thine had been my &te;
C 155 I
^ Then cheerful rising, I each mom shoidd lea^
^ My lowing herd, to pasture, field or meady
« Or in the vineyard, at the day's decline,
« Pluck the ripe clusters from the pendant vme ;
<< Then sure had Phyllis or Amtntas strove,
** To catch my notice and obtain my love ;
** With me they might repose where the rich vine,
" Luxuriant round the pliant willows twine ;
« Phyllis with chaplets had my temples drest,
" Amyntas warbling lulled my soul to rest.
*< What though we cannot call Amyntas fiur,
" Nut brown her skin, and jetty black her hair,
" The riolet of soft ceruUan blue,
*' Though it boast not the lily*s spotless hue,
« Sweet to the scent and lovely to the eye,
" Can even with the ricft carnation vie ;
« And though in Ethiopian tints arra/d,
« The luscious berry wears a dusky shade,
« Pleasant to view and grateful to the taste,
« It yields the temperate swain a rich repast. ,
^frti
VIRGIL'S 10th ECLOGUE.
Hxtremum huncj Arethuaoj tmhl, ^c. ^c.
Allow me, Arethusa, by thy stream
To tune my lyre, and chant my fav'rite theme ;
In this last effort a slight strain to raisei
And to my Gallus* de^cate the lays.
• Gallus, a great friend and patron of ViROit, and tn excel*
lent poet. He raised himself from a low station, to high favour
with the Emperor Augustus. He was deeply in love with a la-
dy whom he calls Lycobii, who slighted him for a solder,
whom she had followed to the wars. The poet, therefore, sup-
poses Gallus retired into the solitudes of Arcadia, surrounded
hj the rural deities, who all unite in pitying his misfortunes*
s»d consoling him under the bard usage of his scornfol mistress*
And where; my Gallus> may the poet bet
Who would refuse to tune his lyre for thee I
Oh ! may the numbers flow so soft, so clear,
That even Lycoris herself might heaf.
So, Arethusa,t when thy chaste, cold tide.
Shall soft beneath Sicilian billows glide.
May green hair'd DoRist from thy path decUne,
Nor ever mix her bitter waves with thine.
Begin^my muse, whilst, or with wanton bound.
Or browsing the green turf my kids sport round ;
Yet not for them, we strike th* harmomc string ;
*Tis not tq them insensible we sing.
Rehearsing Gallus' unsuccessful loves
In plaintive numbers, th* umbrageous groves,
t Arethusa, a mer in Sicily, said to pass many miles U)id«£
the sea, with which its waters never mix.
I DoRiB, a sea nymph, but used here for the sea itself*
C 150 ]
Most sweetly shall prolong the soothing 6train%
And Echo bear them to the m^ighboiiriag plaint*
Ye Nymps, and Naiades, what lawns, what bowtrtf
Or limpid fountains fringM with sedge and flowers^
Detained ye ? whilst beneath Arcadian skies,
My Gallus with unheeded passion dies.
On *Pindus' summit did ye sportive play ?
Or in Parnassus* hallow'd precincts stray ?
Or to sweet t Agganippe's fount resort, ^
Where the nine tuneful sisters hold their, court ?
Ah no, ye nymphs ! sure these could not detaiA
Your consolations from the loye-sick swain.
* Pindus and Parnassus^ are two mountains consecrated to ^k
muses.
t Ag-g'annippe, a fountain which springs in PinduS; fmd is I
times caU^cl tlic Apnian sprin||^.
[ 151 3
With him the sacred laurel seemed to toooxif
And the green tamansk, as sad alone.
Beneath Lycxan cliffs he lay reclinMy
And breath'd his sorrows to the passing wind.
Pine-crown'd *MoenaIus every sigk retum*d,
And e'en the cold rocks melted as he moum'd.
With piteous looks stood round his fleecy care,
And seem'd their much loVd master's-grief to share ^
Blush j^t, sweet chanter of the vocal reed,
Blush not that thou art doom'd a flock to feed ;
tAnoKis, loveliest of Arcadia's swains,
Tended his sheep upon her flow*ry plains,
* Moenalufl and Lycoa, two mountains of Arcadia, the one a^
bounded with pines^ the other was almost continually coTered
with enow.
t Adonis, a shephcrdboy, exceedingly handsome, and Moted
by Vbkus.
£ 15J 3
Or led them by the fountain's mossy »de»
Or where through meads traiuluceiit rivers glide ;
Yet Cytherea, deck'd in all her pharms)
Pescending, wooed the shepherd to her arms^
Left) fer his sake, the bUssfiil seats aboye,
His heart herthnme, her only heav*n his lore.
The shepherds and the slow-pac'd neatherds came ;
All moum'd my Gallus* unsuccessful flame :
To soothe his grief, Mekalus near him drewt ^
His garments dripping with autumnal dew ;
Fring'd round the skirts with gems of glittering hooTf
Loaded with acorns for his winter store.
All, all enquire, " Can nought thy grief remove ?
Why thus pines Gallus with unheeded love ?
Apollo self, forsook the orient sides,
^ And whence this foUy ? whence this love ?" he cries ;
C 155 5
^ She, eren Ltcouis, that haughty 6dr,
« For whom you waste your youth in pining care^
^ Flies the soft shadows of Arcadia's groTey
«< 0*er snow crown'd hills she seeks another lovei
•* Nor check'd by fear, nor scared by war*s alarmsi
fc Follows through camps, and horrid scenes of armi*
Sylvanus came along ; where'er he treads,
Pale primroses, and snow-drops rear their heads ;
About his wsdst the fragrant musk-rosfri)low8|
And sumptuous lilies nod upon his brows.
Pan came, with whom the rustic &uns advance,
And as he pipes, lead up the mazy dance ;
Whom once we saw by nymphs in sportive moodf
Stained with the bramUe's and the alder's blood ;
« And is there nought," he cries, « can bring relief?
« Does Gallus set no limits to his grief ?
^
^ Think'st th<m that km regafds thy tearfa} ^fes
^ He scorns thjr sorrowit asd he mocks thy aghs ; -
^ When ti)ri(ty bees are sated with the sveetSi
^ Which in the gr^uoate's frajgrant blosaom meats s
^ When kids are sated and forsake the field%
" Which sweetest shrubs and richest pasture yield*-**
^ Then cruel love, his poison'd arrows spent,
<*, With human sufferings will be content/*
'^ But mournful he replies, " Through ev*ry grore^
<< Ye shepherds ye shall sang my hopeless love ;
« Ye shepherds who in hxa*d Arcadia dwell,
« Who most expert can tune the vocal shell ;
♦< Ah then I each sorrrow of my soul suj^rest,
#<< How soft beneath your turf my bones shall rest ;
^ So may your strains my memory prolong,
« So be my love recorded in your song.
^ But oh ! that Heaven in an humble statcu
<^ Fixing my lot, like thine had been my &te;
Lycus, whose jetty locks and eyes,
E'ea with the raven's plumage vies.
MAECENAS bids, then lend thy power ;
■^ If e'er with art I touched thy strings.
E'er breathed a lay which might endure,
Now sdd thy Poet whilst he siiigs ;
Now teach me all thy magic art.
And dictate lines to touch the heart.
Thou, who dost grace Apollo's hand,
Who even Jove's vepasts improve.
Whose power awakens tt^command
Hope, joy, fear, gnef, revenge, or love 5
Be ready, at thy vot'ry's pray'r.
To cheer my toils, and sooth my care.
^ Hercy my lov*d LtcoriS) are verdent fields^
* And here at nooii> the grove ashelter yields ;
^ Here, where the cool refreshing fountains play , '
* How sweet vdth thee, might life consume away.
<< But love, despairing loye, detains me here»
^ Where cruel Mars erects the hostile spear;
^ Me in lus rigid service he retains,
J^^Thilst thou art distant from thy native plains ;
« Oh ! let me not believe it, can it be,
9 Thou'rt willingly so far from love and me ?
^ And dost thou climb the lofty mpuntain's brow>
^ Rendered tremendous by perpetual snow ;
« Or where the Rhine's cold waves forbade to passy
^ Seem a vast field of highly polished g^ass ?
« Ah ! cruel, whither, whither art thou gone ?
<f Why would thou tempt such dang'rous scenes alone f
Oh ! Lycoris, wherever thou may'st be,
f
May the cold have no power to injure thee ;
May the sharp^ice, that in thy path may lie,
Melt at the beaming lustre of thine eye ;
And softening as you pass, may you not meet,
Aught that might lacerate thy tender feet.
JFor me, I'll seek some unfrequented mead,
And tuning the Sicilian Shepherd's reed,
In elegiac strains my sorrows tell.
In strains, such as *Euphorion lov'd so well.
For rather than pursue thee thus in vain,
Banished forever from Arcadia's plain,
I'll seek the desart, hide me in some cell,
Where only monsters of the forest dwell ;
* EuPHORxoN a Greek poet, whose elegies Gallvs had trani-
latedinto Latin verse.
O
£ 158 1
On each surrounding tree Til carve thy name}
And as the bark extends, so grows my Same.
Sometimes perhaps 1*11 mingle in the throng.
Of woodland Njrmphs, join in their dance or song ;
Or over Ma&nalus, with hound and horn,
^^use the fierce boar, at blush of early mom.
Nor me the beating tempest shall withhold,
Nor Borean blasts, nor winter's piercing cold.
Now over rocks and hills I seem to bound.
Whilst Echo answers to the deep mouth'd hound :
Now with unerring hand I seem to throw,
tCydonian arrows from the Parthian bow ;
As if I thought those sylvan sports would prove,
(Mistaken fool) a cure for hopeless love ;
t Cydon was a town in Crete, whose arrows were much es-
teemed ; and the Paithians were famous for their bows, which
were made of horn.
[ 159 3
As if the God, who throws around his darts
At random, lacerating human hearts,
Our sufferings would heed, or deign to show
Compas^on for ^mhappy mortals' woe.
But now nor woodland Nymphs, nor chanter clear,
Nor songs repeated, can delight mine ear ;
Farewell, ye woods, farewell, ye verdant plains,
And flow'ry lawns, and you, ye pitying swains.
From you, thrpugh wilds and barren wastes I range,
But nought has power my constant heart to change.
Not the benumbing winter's frigid breath.
Fatigue, nor misery, nor aught but death 5
Not though I drank of *Hebrus* icy wave,
Though drenching rains my weared limbs should lave ;
• Hebnu, one of the largest rivers in Thrace } its waters are
remarkably cold.
[ 160 ]
Not though within the parching torrid zone>
I strayM o'er Ethiopia's plains alone^
Where Sol from Cancer darts his burning rajr,
And on the trees the withering rinds decay ;
Nor these, nor aught my constancy can move ;
Love conquers all, and we must yield to lore."
Ye heavenly sisters, thus your poet sung,
Around, the echoing hills responsive rimg;
He simg, whilst busily his fingers wove^
Of pliant reeds, a basket for his love.
And these poor lines, ye sacred sisters, make
Welcome to Callus, for the poet's sake ;
To Callus, whom each rising hour shall bring
Encrease of love, as doe* the genial spring.
Which bids the alder shoot, the fields look gay,
And nature wear her trimmest, best array ;
For as each circling hour her charms improve.
So to my Callus hourly grows my love.
C 161 3
But sec where vesper, glimmering in the west
Foretells the season of approaching rest;
Arise and let us go ; nocturnal dews
Are most unfiiendl)^ to the vocal muse.
Even where the jumper her branches spread,
The evening dews unwholesome vapours shed ;
Even noxious to the fertile fields that give,
The farinaceous grain by which we live ;
Then cease, my lay, cease, cease, my lyre, to moum ;
Go home, my flocks^ my well fed kids return.
02
32dODE OF HOHACE, 1st BOOK.
FoacimuTi » quid vacui^ ^c. 4^c,
MAECENAS bids, then come, my lyre,
And let us raise as sweet a song,
As did the ^Lesbian bard inspire.
Who sang of Bacchus, gay and young ;
Who, though renownM in feats of arms.
Sang Cupid's power, and Vekus' charms.
'Twas he, oh lyre, with touch divine,
Rrst from the chords drew melting strlons ;
He sang the muses, tuneful nine,
.And tLTCus, glory of the plsdns ;
* A1.CSXJ8, a Greek poet, who lived in the time of Savvko.
f%Ycu$, a youth beloved by Uqila.©**
Lycus, whose jetty locks and eyes,
E'ea with the raven's plumage yies.
MAECENAS bids, then lend thy power ;
^ If e'er with art I touched thy strings.
E'er breathed a lay which nught endure,
Now aid thy Poet whilst he sings ;
Now teach me all thy magic art.
And dictate lines to touch the heart.
Thou, who dost grace Apollo's hand,
Who even Jove's vepasts improve,
Whose power awakenii lit^command
Hope, joy, fear, gnef, revenge, or love ;
Be ready, at thy vot'ry's pray'r.
To cheer my toils, and sooth my care.
32dODE OF HOKACE, 1st BOOK.
Poacimur^ d qtdd vactdi 49V. 4^c«
MAECENAS bids, then come, my lyre,
' And let us raise as sweet a songi
As did the ^Lesbian bard inspire,
Who sang of Bacchus, gay and young ;
Who, though renowned in feats of arms,
Sang Cupid's power, and Vekus' charms.
*Twa8 he, oh lyre, with touch divine,
Rrst from the chords drew melting strlons ;
He sang the muses, tuneful nine.
And tLTCus, glory of the plains ;
* A1.CSXJ8, a Greek poet, who lived in the time of Savvko.
f%Ycv0, a youth beloved by UQikK©**
c
163
3
LiYCus, whose jetty locks and eyes,
E'ca with the raven's plumage vies.
MAECENAS bids, then lend thy power ;
" If e'er with art I touched thy strings,
E'er breathed a lay wluch might endure.
Now sdd thy Poet whilst he sings ;
Now teach me all thy magic art.
And dictate fines to touch the heart.
A^mjLc^^haad,
23d ODE OF HORACE, BOOK 3d.
Calo sufdnaa at tukria^ tstc, ^c.
PhIDYLE, simple) rustic dame,
If thou hast fami'd tjie sacred flame,
Hast bade the smoke of incence rise,
Or raised thy hands toward the.^kles,
When the chaste queen of night, new-bom|
Faintly displays her silver horn ;
If thou hast offered ripened gtidn,
But lately reap'd from off the plain,
Hast offered fruits that might suffice,
T' appease the household deities ;
Invoked their aid with rites divine,
And sacrificed a hungry swine ;
t 1« ]
If livith pure hands, and heart sincere^
A conscience from offences clear ;
Then shall thy pray'rs accepted be,
Thy flocks and fields from blight be free |
The gods thy industry shall bless,
And crown tliy labours with success.
Let wealth and power be display*d.
By pompous gifts on altars laid ;
. Even bread and salt, if freely given.
Are more acceptable to Heaven ;
And the best sacrifice assign'd,
Is a pure heart and grateful mind^^
17th ODE OF HORACE, 2d BOOK.
Cwr me guereUa exanimaaj Isfc. ^c,
JN O ! mf M^cENAs, no ! the gods and I
Are equally averse, that thou shouldst die ;
M7 best support) ray patron, or to blend
Every dear name in one, my honoured fiiendy
Cease these complaints, it cannot, must not be^
That thou shouldst seek Elysium without me.
Alas ! should &te the hsstf 4|^jliidate give^
And my soul's better part should cease to live ;
Then for what reason should I tarry here^
Not half so good, nor to mankind so dear ;
Nor could I long survive, when torn from thee ;
The day, which take* thee hence, will ruin me.
[ 167 3
Have I not sworn, nor will I break thy oath,
The call of death for one will sun\fnon both ;
When, or howe'er thou may'tt the journey make,
r am resolv'd its perils to partake ;
We will together, tread the gloomy way,
Together, seek the realms of brighter day.
Though to appal me, fell *Chimer a stands,
Though tGYAS rise, and with his hundred hands
Oppose my passage, nought shall have the pow'r,
To tear me from thee in that dreadful hour i
* CH1MESA9 a poetical iottAster, like a lion In the forepart,
a dragon behind, and a goat In the middle. It was also the name
of a burning mowiUdn in Lybia.
t Gtas, a fabulous being, said to be the son of heaven and
earth ; he ia represented as having a hundred hands, and fifty
headf.
168
In life, in d^ ath, resolv'd to follow thee^
Justice demands it, and the fates decree.
For whether Libra, balance of the earth,
Or the fierce sporpion overruled our birth^
Or the rude tyrant of the western scgT;
Certain, our stars most strangely do agpree ;
Jupiter's guardian gl6ries round thee shine.
While light-wing*d Mercury's protection's mine.
For when cold Saturn would repress thy prsdse,
Thy planet rules, and lo ! the people rdse
Three shouts of glad a^^JIWIjff » and when on me
The fatal sisters hurl'd a falling tree,
Mercury, watchful patron of the leam'd,
,<
Aside by Faunus' hand the danger tuni'd, ^
t w 1
Remembef fherefore to the Gods and &te^
\lctims to buni) and temples dedic^ ;
For thee, the smoke of hecatombs shall risC)
But for thy Horace one poor lamb suffice.
.■'■%
f ART OF THS
18th ODE OF HOlUCE, 2d BOOK.
Mm €bury negue aureum^ ^c. istc.
Though on the ceilings of my humble hom^
Nor fretted gold, nor polish'd iv*ry glow ;
Nor beams, nor columns, here suj^rt the domci
From Afiic's forest, or *Hymettiis* brow.
Nor do I Uke IAttalus* fraui
Another's palace seize,
* Hyxiettus^a mountain in Attica^famous for eedar trees a&d|iOBey.
t The kingdom of Attalus, king of Pergamus, was seized
hy one Ansronzcus» who pretended he was descended front
liie royal stock, and usurped t)ke throne.
[ m 1
K«r keep M tlayes, respected matrons tliere«
To fit the Spartan purple for tbe loom.
But mine are fair sincerity and truthf
. While genius round me flits in wanton sport ;
Though poor and humble, many noble f outh
Sue for my fo.YOur| and my fiienddup couit.
Kor aaik I more, of all-induIgent Heaven,
Nor to my friend for greater fovours press j
To me a little home and peace are giveni
And CaxosuM|^th| with discontent^ were hi$^
)SJ2|l|^t]
<'■*.' .i"Vr
Slst ODE OF HORACE, 1st BOOK.
Qkid dedieattwt fiotcif, ^c. ^c.
VV HEN at Af OLto's sacred shrine ,
The grttpe^s cnliv*mng juice 1 pour ;
While on the pavement streams the wine>
What asks the poet of the power ?
Nor the ridi com, *Sar€lmia yields,
Nor herds that range tfM^ria's grott%
4^ Sardinia, an island of Italy, famodi for yielding fine grain,
t Calabria, a country in Italy $ it yiMM fhiit twice a year, and
abounds in fine cattle.
Kor Indians goldi nor fertile fieldSf
Through which the \lAm silent moyes.
Let him, to whom kind fortune givet
To pluck ripe dusHers from the Tine f
Who in gold cups the juice recdveS)
And quafia nectarious draughts of wine i
hex him whom Heafen lordy guard%
• Who without fear, fiom danger free^
Oft spreads the sail and trimfi the yard%
And yi«ta,the^|j|ndc aea»
With sickles of Caknian make,
Advance, the b^idkig vines to dress f
4 Lirts, now called Gangliaiuti a livtrki Italf.
r3
t W4 -1
And Ms rich fuU lArtimft i^kai
Request ahmdance neb andtHDCy
To please his t»te and giice hb boaid Sr>*
GiTe me the tif^and fimgalfaret
IPfas KegcftaU^ Stoves aifcffd.
GWe me, A?OLto» str^ngtli ofttkid,
And health tx^ la«te tiifc jofs I h^ ;
Let wreaths the heso^ tem^eslmidt
The meed of honesty I fime» ^
Make me contented with my lol;
And stifl, to raise my pleasuBes lughstv
Let poetry oft grace my cot,
And music strike her dulcet lyre.
\
thanksgiving-
Autumn rec^diBe, 4umr8 a«d»
Her robe of mfipjr « varii^ dye ;
And Winter, in maj^tic padfit
A4vaBce» lA the lowering d^f »
The lab'i^r iii hkr graary storet
The golden sheaves all safe from spoil ;
Wlnle from her horn gay Plenty, pourfr
Her treasures to reward his toil.
To solemn temples let us now repaiTjS
And bow in grateful udoradon ther^ f .
Bid the full strain in halielujahs risC) ^
To waft the sacred inceps^ to the skiefi
Now the hospitable board
Groans beneath the ricjb repast ;
C IW .1 !
I
* \
AB tliat hafry can afibrdf
Gratfid to the eye or taste ;
While tbe orchard's sparUing juket
And the Tintage j<m thw powers ;
An that natore can producci
Bounteoiis Heai^ hkb be obrs.
Lotus give thanks ; yes, yeS| be suve^
Send fior the widow and the orphan poor ;
&ve them wherewith to purchase clothes and ftod|
Tils the best way to prove our gratitude.
k
On the hearth high flames the firei
SpAlUing tapers lend their light ;
XjfA and genius now aspire
On Fancy's gay and rapid flight ?
Now the viol's sprightly lay,
As the moments light advance^
Bids us revel, sport, and play,
Raise the song, or lead the dance.
Comef sportiye 1oTe> and, sacred friendshim eon%4
' Help us to celebrate our hanrest4ioiiie 3
In vain the year Us annual tribute pourSf
i Vnksft you prace thc«cc»ei »)d lead the tou^
ih
&^
To wmdwtid see the clouds dispetflong^
NowithiDsy the storm is oVr;
How pleasant) when the tale rehearsii^f
ToyoQf listenhig mends on shorei
To ten, how ftiends and home regretdng.
Yon fehf IS 'fore the gale she drove ;
Then sink to rest, each care forgetdng)
In the arms of fiuthfol lore*
1 t »w 1
f"
Come, sportive lore^ and, sacred bieniMft
Help us to celebrate our barvest^iome )
In vain the year Us annual tribute poorSf
SONG.
WRITTEN FOR THE CELEBRATION OF m,
BIRTH DAY OF GEORGE WA^HINGTO^, ESQ.
AND SUNG ON THAT OCCASION, INBOS*
TON, FEBRUARY ilth, 1798.
When nslng from ocean Columbia appear'il»
MiNXRVA tx> JoTE, humbly kneetiiijlj^y requested
That ahe^ as its patroness, might be rever'd,
** %Sa the pow'r to protect it, in her be invested.
Jove nodddd assent, pleasure gloVd in her breas^
As rising, the goddess : her will thus exprest
* The sons of Columbia forever shall be
* From oppressionjsecurei and from anarchy free."*
o
Rapture flashM through the spheres as the msudate
went forth)
When Mars and Apollo^ together uniting^
Cried, Sister, thy sons shall be £emk'd for their wortl^
Their wisdom in peace, and their valour in fighting |
Besides, from among them a chief shall arisC)
As a soldier,""or statesman, undaunted and wise ;
Who would shed his best blood, that Columbia might b%
From oppresuoQ securei and from anarchy free.
Jovs, pleas'd wUk the prospect, majestic arosCf
And said, << By ourself, they shall not be negle^^d ;
^ But ever secure, tho' surrounded by foes, ^PfPl|r
•*^y WASHINGTON bravely upheld and protected.
^ And while Peace and Plenty preside o'er their plains>
^ While mem'ry exists, or while gratitude reignS)
^ His'name ever lov'd, and remembered shall be^
^ While Columbians remain iNOEPSVDJSNTandFRSz.'*
\
I
BALLADw
In the iull Uooin ef yoisth^ bafd, alM t is my &U%
And tho* gentle my heart, its afflktiotis are great |
Ccnteatmenty sweet maid, from my bosom is fl(yw%
For Heitkt is Ruthless, and I am undone^
Ah ! why did I list to the vows that he made ^
But she who loves truly may soon be betray'd ;
Come, pity my sorrows, ye kind^he
TtmAMf i am driven almoaft to despair^'
In a lowly roofd cot, from ambition seeore,
I dwelt with my father ; alas, he was pooi* ;
But free from all vice, and a stranger to art^
And I was the comfort^ and joy of his heart:
Each morning as blythe as the wood lark I rose,
And innocence heigthened the sweets of repfs^
But the scene is now chang'd ; grant me pit}r, ye fiuTt
For ala8> I am driven almost to despsdr.
Cold and bleak was the night, and the hour it was late.
When wounded and faint, Henry knock'd at our gate ;
We bound up his wounds, but, alas, the return
Was to rob me of virtue, and leave me to mourn.
I flew to my £tther. Oh, pardon, I cried ;
He heard my dishonour, forgave me, and died :
Oh pity my tonmrs, ye kind hearted fair,
For alas ! I anMiiven almost to despair^
(
BALLAD. '
ReNEATH a willow's pendant shade,
Elinor^ sad| unhappy faavy
Inspir'd by music's plaintive sdd)
Thus breath'd her sorrows to the aii* :
Ah me i I feel love's poison'd dart.
In v^ the poison would repeli
But who transfix'd it in my heart) £
I cannot^ will not, dare not telL
When bright along the eastern skies,
The morning sheds a golden beam,
How fervent do my prayers rise,
Invoking peace and health for him.
The village maidens speak his fame,
He does all other youths excel, #
t 183 3
But where he dweUs, or what's his naxue,
I caxmot) will not, dare not tell.
Zephyr, as you with the copling air
light around his temples play,
Soft to his eat ^ese tidings bear ;
Whisp'iing gently. Zephyr, say,
Speak in the language of a sigh.
How much I love, how true, how Well a
But should he ask my name, reply,
I cannot, will not, dare not telL
t ^t4 ]
And Ms rich fuU I^Miiw^^
New 9lra»B»g &gi» Cwo^
Request abundanoe lick tad fafie»
To i^kase Us tfute Slid gface hb board s»i
Gire me the lig^ and fnigat fiivei
'I'ho ymfftM^ stores aflbed.
Giye me^ Afolloi str^ngtli ofi&kid,
' And health tt^ taste tiib jo js I h^ ;
Let wreaths the heso^s temples Undi
The meed of honesty I ^Te»
Make me contented wUh my lot;
And stifl) to raise my pleasuBes highscv
ILet poetry oft grace my cot,
And mu«c strike her dulcet lyre.
\
\
THANKSGIVING^
Autumn rec^dtag, ti^vs taiOm
Her robe of m^y a varipd dye ;
And WiNTsm, in maj^stip pm^f
A4^n^lcefr ia ^e low'riag rtLf •
The lab^er in )m gfmty stores
The golden sheaves all safe irom spoil ;
While from her horn gay Plenty, pours
Her treasures to reward histz>il.
To solemn temples let us now repair^S
And bow in gratefid adoraticm ther^ ^ .
Bid the full strain in hallelujahs rise^ .
To wafi the sacred inceps^ to the skie^
Now the hospitable board
Groans beneaUi the ricjb repast ;
C iw 1 {
\
All Oat Itix^iy can afford^
Gratful to the eye or taste ;
While the orchard's sparkling jmcey
And the Tintage join their powers ;
AU that nature can producci
Bounteous Heav'n l^ds be oUrs.
Let us give thanks ; fes, yes, be suise^
Send for the widow and the orphan poor ;
Give them wherewith to purchase clothes and fbodi
n'is the best way to prove our gratitude.
On the hearth high flames the firei
SpMling tapers lend their light ;
y^ and genius now aspire
On Fancy's gay and rapid flight ;
Now the viol's sprightly lay,
As the moments light advance^
Bids us revel, sport, and play,
Raise the song, or lead the dance.
J. . t m 1
;€ome, sporSve loTe, and, sacred friendslupy eM%A
' Help us to celebrate our harvest4ioin€ }
; In vain the year its annual tribute pourSf
S Unless 70U grace thcaccMi «9d lead the lai^Iu&s houini
I
SONG.
WRITTEN FOR THE CELEBRATION OP THE
BIRTH DAY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON/, ESQ.
AND SUNG ON THAT OCCASION, IN BOS-
TON, FEBRUARY ilth, 1798.
When rising from ocean Columbia appear'df
MiNXRVA tx> JoTE, humbly kneeliiijity requested
Thai ahe^ as its patroness, might be rever'd,
•* jE5l\he pow'r to protect it, in her be invested.
Jove nodddd assent, pleasure gloVd in her breas^
As rising, the goddess : her will thus expreat
* The sons of Columbia forever shall be
* From oppressionjsecurei and from anarchy free."*
Rapture flashM through the spheres as the msudate
went forth)
When Mars and ApollOi together unitingy
Cried, Sister, thy sons shall be £emkM for their wortl^
Their wisdom in peace, and their valour in fighting |
Besides, from among them a chief shall arise^
As a 8okfier,~or statesman, undaunted and wise ;
Who would shed his best blood, that Columbia might b%
From oppresuoQ securei and from anarch/ free.
Jovs, pleas'd wbk the prospect, majestic arosey
And said, *' By ourself, they shall not be neg^efifed ;
^ But ever secure, tho' surrounded by foeS) ^PJ||||j|^
•*,By WASHINGTON bravely upheld and protected.
*< And while Peace and Plenty preside o'er their plains>
« While mem'ry exists, or while gratitude reignS)
^ His 'name ever lov'd, and remember'd shall be^
^< Wlule Columbians remain iNOEPSVDJSNTandFRSz.'*
1
I
BALLADw
lNthefuQlAx)intfyoisAh^li«fd,a]«it i$lBy&U%
And tho* gentle my heart, its afflktiotis are ffP^nXi |
Conteotmenty sweet maid, from my bosom is flow%
For Heitkt is Ruthless, and I am undone^
Ah ! why did I list to the vows that he made ^
But she who loves truly may soon be betray'd ;
Come, pity my sorrows, ye kind*heatWtt|hit^
To9 ilMii i am driven almost to despair^*
In a lowly roofd dot, from ambition seeare>
I dwelt with my father ; alas, he was poof* ;
But free from all vice, and a stranger to art^
And I was the comfort^ and joy of his heart:
Each morning as blythe as the wood lark I rose,
And innocence heigthened the sweets of repfBcy
But the scene is now chang'd ; grant me pit}r, ye fiuTf
For ala8> I am driven almost to despair.
Cold and bleak was the night, and the hour it was late.
When wounded and faint, Henry knock'd at our gate ;
We bound up his wounds, but, alas, the return
Was to rob me of virtue, and leave me to mourn.
I flew to my fether. Oh, pardon, 1 cried j
He heard my dishonour, forgave me, and died :
Oh pity my ioimrs, ye kind hearted fair,
For alas ! 1 anrariven almost to despair.
I
BALLAD. '
HeNE ATH a wilkm's pendant shade»
Elinor, sad| unhappy &iry
Inspir'd by music's plsdnthre aid)
Thus breath'd her sorrows to the aii* ;
Ah me ! I feel Iove*s poison'd dart,
In vain the poison would repeli
But who transfixM it in my heart) #
I cannot^ will not, dare not telL
When bright along the eastern skies,
The morning sheds a golden beam,
How fervent do my prayers rise.
Invoking peace and health for him.
The village maidens speak his fame,
He does all other youths excel, #
t 183 ]
But where he dwells^ or what's his naxue,
I caimot} will not, dare not tell.
Zephyr, as you with the cooling air
light around his temples play,
Soft to his eat tiliese tidings bear ;
Whisp'ring gently, Zephyr, say,
Speak in the language of a sigh.
How much I love, how true, how Well a
But should he ask my name, reply,
I cannot^ will not, dare not telL
Fragile sweeta, hoi^' frail ye arci
Snow-drop palci aij^ vifet khic ^
Beauty, tho* so heav^y &ir
And sweet, may be compared with youu
In the early spring ye blooQif
Making April^s mantle gay.
But robb*d of beauty and perfinne^
Fade upon the robe of May.
Lovely Rose', who, queen of flowers.
Spring and summer both adorn ;
Han^g) tempting) jt>und our bowers^
lading 'neath thy charms a thorn.
So the joys of youth appciar,
Tempting to the distant view :
f 209 3
So 'tis with life ; who pass down the flood)
Fortune and pleasure filling ev*r7 sail ;
Here fix their heart, here seek their only good,
And dread the hour when all those joys must &il ;
While they who buffet with misfortune's wave,
Extend their hopes of peace beyond the grave.
s9
PARODY ON THE MARSEILLES HYMN^
ADAPTED FOR THS SONS OF COLUKfliA^
Columbia's soqs, awake to ^wjf
Tour Guaitluuii Geiuua Uda J
Tnoisnut yo\)r name tpftit^TQ stores
As learned, geo'rous, brave and wise.
Shall pois'nous reptUes^niischief brewing)
With cringpuBgknavfs,arlawkaabi||Hli
Spread disaffection through the land,
Wlule mean and selfish schemes pursuing ^
To yonder vaulted sky*— 4)ur solemn vows shall fly,
Firmly to oppose, all treacherous foes*—
Live free, or bravely die. .
5'en now the distant thunders rolling.
Speak the angry tempest nigh ;
t ivr 1
The tmath of demagogues is liowliDg»
Their threat'oinge gleam akng tte ffcj*.
And shall we tamely hear it roarings
Th' horizon with dark clouds o'erspread ;
Wlule liberty, with droopiog head.
See's democratic despots soaring ?
To yonder vaulted sky-^ur solemn vows shall fiy^
Firmly to oppose— «11 treacherous foe»-«
Live free, or bravely die.
Liberty, thou noblest gift of Heat'n,
Who once has felt thy sacred fire,
Would wish to Eve of thee bereaven,
Or would not in thy cause exfnre ?
Oh I may thy banners, ever glorious,
O'er blest Columbia proudly wave ;
Her children spurn the name of slave,
Over insidious friends victorious ;
To jondet vaulted sky-^oor flolettti vows shall By,
Fmoly to oppose^all treacheroiti fb«8— »
liYc fipcc, or brayely die. *
v<
.#•
STOBMAT9EA,
/
Louring cloud a storm presagesf
See the fiiaiBUifeg fiorges riie ;
Harki liow Unnt^riAg Bdreas nget ;
TfareatUDg watts approach the akiai*
Lower your topsails, boys, be ready ;
Strike the topmasts, brace the yards |
Scud before !Vheep her steady ; -
^ho this little gpst regard3 ? '
■ . ■ ' ^'
Cheerly, lads, to Tear a stager;
Cut away the splintered mast :
Though surrounded thus by danger,
Boys, it blows too hard to last* >
To windward see the clouds dispefsing^
Now it lulls, the storm is o'er ;
How pleasant) when the tale rehearsingi
Toyour Ust^ibg tiiendt on shore>
To tell, how friends and home regretting,
You felt} as *£bre the gale she drove ;
Then unk to rest, each care fergetdng)
In the arms of &ithlul lore.
O^t^'^O'^
SONG.
INDEPENDENT FARMER.
lAr HEN the bonny grey morning just peeps from tiie
skieSf
And the lark mounting, tunes her sweet lay ;
With a mind unincumbered by care I arise.
My spirits light, airy, and gay.
I take up my gun ; honest Tray, my good friendi
Wags his tail and jumps sportively round ;
To the woods then together our footsteps we bendy
^^Tis there health and pleasure are found.
X sniifiT the fresh air ; bid defiance to care^
As happy as mortal can be ;
From the toils of the great, ambition and statei
*Ti8 my pride and my boast to be free.
At noon, I deKghted to range o'er the 800,
And nature's rough children regale :
yriih a cup of good home*brev'd I sweeten their tmlf
And laugh at the joke or the tale.
And whether the ripe wav hi g c oi n I behold)
Or the innocent flock meet m^ sight ;
Or t3ie orchard) whose firuit isjuat tunung to goldi
Sdll, still health and pleasure unite.
I snuff the fresh air ; fnd defiance to care^
»
As happy as mortal' can be ;
From the toils of the great, ambition and states
•Tis my ;^ride and my boast to be free.
At night to my lowly rooPd cot I return,
When oh, what new soijrces of bliss ;
My children rush out, while their little hearts bum)
Each striving to gain the first kiss.
Uly Dolly appears with a smile on her fece,
Good humour presides at our board ;
C m 3
What more than health, plenty, good humour, and peace,
Can the wealth of the Indies, afford ?
I sink into rest, with content in my breast,.
As happy sa mortal can be ;
From the toils^of the great, ambition and state^
Tis my pride and my boast to be free.
SONG.
-W^BDEN far from freedom^s happy courts
Where all the social arts resort,
We ploughed, unaMr'd, the roaring msdii)
Where war and slaughter held their reigni
Then Fame her trumpet sounded;
The vault of Heaven resounded ;
We saw her banners wave on high,
And rush'd to conquer or to die :
Midst smoak and fire, and groanings ^e
Of valiant seamen wounded.
In Freedom's cause to yield our breath,
We brave all danger, smile at death ;
g£|^^ndaunted we her foes pursue,
^^Though fire and blood impede our ricw.
t .195 1
When fione her trumpet soundec^
Oar hearts with joy rebounded ;
We saw her commg from on high,
And in her hand came victory.
They crown'd each headi and e^en the deaid
With laurel wreaths surrounded..
SONG.
ORPHAN NOSEGAr GIRL.^
WhOIX tmy'a nosegay ? cried a sweet child)
An orphan left wretched and poor ;
Here's rosea^ and pinks, and sweet briar wild ;
And Heaven will bless you thrice o*er.*'
Do pray buy my roses, indeed they're not dear*
Each bud shall be moistened with gratitude's tear*
Hard ! hard ! is my &te, my father b dead^ *
He fell in the nation's defence ;
Those friends who once courted our fiiTour are fled»
And prov'd all their friendship pretence.
Do pray buy my roses, indeed they're not dear,
Each bud shall be moistened with gratitude's tear*
• The IjmtTerse it the tame at the original song.
M|||||other was by, when by brave {ather fisU ;
The bullet, which robb'd hun of life,
Sunk deep in the bosom which loVd him so well»
And.murder'd the health of his wife.
Do pray buy my roses, indeed they're not dear,
Each bud shall be moistened with gratitude^s tear.
Do pray buy my roses, for hard is my fate ;
My parents to heaven are fled ;
Bestow then s^ trifle before 'tis too late.
My poor little sisters want bread.
Do pray buy my roses, indeed they're not dear,
Each bud shall b^ moistened with gratitude's tear.
m 3
• • SONG.*
Drink ta me aoSj vith thine ejret,
And I will pledge with mine}
Or leare a Idss ifrithin the cupy
. And ni not ask fixr wine.**
Those^ joys, which bom tiie sold ii$ spriog^
The tongue can ill impart ;
But fipom Hie eye may dart a beam»
To penetrate the heart.
Then prythee> Chloe, strire to learn
A language so divine ;
Speak to me only mth thiite eyes.
And 111 reply mth mine.
* Thiff .flrst rerse atib ^ from tbft otiipsMi wi»i|^
But noir M socM U xkwg'df anA thra doat pt^
To tbal fidr creMM) ifiio bdEbre the g|at%
Ties oa her neat clup faal^ adjiifltt her Iiaii>
Aiid'ftet her Michief with ^le mcest care*
Ah! hasteivfiMJ^ oDe^ fcr acroarttie pfauBf
Advaacea cagertf) thy by'rite awain ;
And now how swiftly tight-wing'd Plsasvrb ffieSy
To greet the youth, peeps from his speakmg eyes ;
nbtnma toward the nymph, to guit her loath ;
They meet» and Plsasurx dwells alike with botll.
And nvw ttMm hovcrest roond a sacred fime^
Weaving of half blown foaes a soft chain ;
While from a Soich a lambent flame ascend^
Twines round the chapiet» inth the roaesUends.
A youth in saffitm garments fims the fire.
And as it bunis, their sweets, their tints are higher ;
They ssjip^to glow with amaranthine bloom^
And shed iMond} a fragrant, rich pei&me.
I ^ 1
But now the cherub, Hope, appears,
The clouds before her fly ;
She soothes my cares, she dries mj tears^
And fills my heart with joj.
K
SONG.
4MBRlCJ^COMMERCEtiFkEED0M.
Ho W bbii a iab t iailor leadfi
From clime to clkneltiarHigtej^l
For as the cafan tiM storm succeediy
The scene delights by changing.
When tempests howl along the mainf
Some object will remind ns.
And cheer with hopes to meet again
Those friends we've left behind us.
Then under snug sail, we laug^ at the gaie^
And tho' landsmen kx^ pale, xnpnih^ 'ein ;
But toss off a glass, to a favourite lM|u^^Kj;.
To America, Commerce^ and Ff
£ tot I
And when arrived in nght of landk '^'
Or safe in port rejoicingy
Our ship wemoor^ our sails we han^
Whilst out the bokt is lU^sting.
With eager haste tibe shore we reacli9 >
Our friends, delighted^gre«t us ;
And, tripping lightly o'er the beachy ;. •
The p^^etty lasses meet us.
When the full flowing bowl, has. enliTtn^d the sou]}
To fixjt it we merrily lead 'cm,
And each boony lasa will drink off a giass^
To America^ Commerce and Freedom^
Our cargo sold, the clunk we share^^
And gladly we receive it ;
Ani if we meet a brother Tar,
Who wants, we freely give it.
No free bom sailor yet hifl store,
But cheerfully would lend it ;
I 227.' J
Thy words, thy looks, Us ansious thoughts control^
And whisper peace, and pardon, to his soul.
I know thee; every where thou art the same :
Pleasure, Religion is thy real name.
To smooth the rugged part of life thou^rt given,
Cheer the dark vale of death, and lead to heaven.
In youth, in manhood's prime, in life's decline^
RELIGION, all our real joys are tlune ;
By reason's powerful rein, restraining sense.
Giving delight a zest, by innocence *,
0*cr every scene, throwing thy magic charm ;
In every ill, lending thy powerful arm.
Who seeks for Pleasure, leaving thee behind,
Pursues a shadow, courses the fleet wind ;
But led by thee, no care his soul annoys,
* No fears depress, no doubt his peace destroys ;
*Tis thou encreasest every joy we taste,
Mak'st Eden bloom amidst a barren waste,
And waft'st the soul, released from grief and pain.
To realms where Pleasure holds immortal reign*
aOMGu
The fine jmt bnntkig into Uoonii
Admir*d where'er 'tis seen,
Dispenses round a rich perfume}
The gaiden^s pilk and queen ;
But gathered from its native bed^
No longer charms the eye ;
Its Tivid'tints are quickly fled,
TuS wither, droop and die.
So womani when by nature drest
In charms devcndof artf
Can rdgn sole empress in each breast,
Can triumph o'er each heart ;
[ 205 ]
Can bid the soul to virtue rise,
To virtue prompt the brave ;
But anks oppressed, and drooping dies,
If once she*8 natdk'k ^Ht.
I
^05
]
Can bid the soul to virtue rise,
To virtue prompt the brave ;
But sinks oppress'd, and drooping diet,
If once she*s made f( dttvc.
4
SONG.
Welcome is the mommg KgH
To the trav'ller faint and weary ;
Or the rising queen of night,
Cheering his jourftby long and drcarjr.
But far more welcome, £sir more dear,
Than rising moon, or op'ning morning,
Are Friendship's smile, and Pit)r*s tear,
The face of Truth itself adorning.
Wclcomeare. sweet beds of flowers,
Where the bees collect their gsuns ;
Welcome are refreshing showers.
When the burning dog star reigns.
Bvit fer more welcome, far more dear,
Than rain to earth, or flower to bee,
Are Friendship's smile, and Pity's tear,
When beaming on, or shed for me.
Sootlung is the water falling,
To the sad and pensive bres^t ;
Gentle is the ring dove's calling, .
To his partner on the nest.
But &r more soothing, gentle, dear,
Than ring dove's notes or purling stream.
Are Friendship's smile, and Pity's tear,
From those we tenderly esteem«
MORAL REFLECTION.
See down the stream yon piuiKed vesad gUde^
Borne on alike by prpsp'rous wind snd tide $
Whilst on the deck her giddy inmates stand*
'Cnheeding they're so near the destin'd land ;
When told that they can linger there no iriorc,
Unwillmg, trembling, try an unknown shore.
But markron bark upon the angry waveSy
Whose fury the experienced pilot braves ;
And the poor weary passenger to cheer,
Points to the rugged coast which they draw near ;
^afe in the haven, on the destin'd shore
They find rejpose ; nor wish to wander more.
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